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Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430

"The Confessions of St. Augustine"

Nebridius then was not drawn to
this by any desire of advantage (for he might have made much more of
his learning had he so willed), but as a most kind and gentle
friend, he would not be wanting to a good office, and slight our
request. But he acted herein very discreetly, shunning to become known
to personages great according to this world, avoiding the
distraction of mind thence ensuing, and desiring to have it free and
at leisure, as many hours as might be, to seek, or read, or hear
something concerning wisdom.
Upon a day then, Nebridius being absent (I recollect not why), to,
there came to see me and Alypius, one Pontitianus, our countryman so
far as being an African, in high office in the Emperor's court. What
he would with us, I know not, but we sat down to converse, and it
happened that upon a table for some game, before us, he observed a
book, took, opened it, and contrary to his expectation, found it the
Apostle Paul; for he thought it some of those books which I was
wearing myself in teaching. Whereat smiling, and looking at me, he
expressed his joy and wonder that he had on a sudden found this
book, and this only before my eyes.


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