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The Confessions of St. Augustin In Thirteen Books

Chapter X.--Through a Love of Ball-Playing and Shows, He Neglects His Studies and the Injunctions of His Parents.

16. And yet I erred, O Lord God, the Creator and Disposer of all things in Nature,--but of sin the Disposer only,--I erred, O Lord my God, in doing contrary to the wishes of my parents and of those masters; for this learning which they (no matter for what motive) wished me to acquire, I might have put to good account afterwards. For I disobeyed them not because I had chosen a better way, but from a fondness for play, loving the honour of victory in the matches, and to have my ears tickled with lying fables, in order that they might itch the more furiously--the same curiosity beaming more and more in my eyes for the shows and sports of my elders. Yet those who give these entertainments are held in such high repute, that almost all desire the same for their children, whom they are still willing should be beaten, if so be these same games keep them from the studies by which they desire them to arrive at being the givers of them. Look down upon these things, O Lord, with compassion, and deliver us who now call upon Thee; deliver those also who do not call upon Thee, that they may call upon Thee, and that Thou mayest deliver them.

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Confessiones (PL)

CAPUT X. Amore lusus et spectaculorum avocatur a litterarum studio.

16. Et tamen peccabam, Domine Deus, ordinator et creator omnium rerum naturalium, peccatorum autem tantum ordinator: Domine Deus meus, peccabam faciendo contra praecepta parentum et magistrorum illorum. Poteram enim postea bene uti litteris, quas volebant ut discerem quocumque animo illi mei. Non enim meliora eligens, inobediens eram, sed amore ludendi, amans in certaminibus superbas victorias, et scalpi aures meas falsis fabellis, quo prurirent ardentius, eadem curiositate magis magisque per oculos emicante in spectacula ludosque majorum; quos tamen qui edunt, ea dignitate praediti excellunt, ut hoc pene omnes optent parvulis suis: quos tamen caedi libenter patiuntur, si spectaculis talibus impediantur a studio, quo eos ad talia edenda cupiunt pervenire. Vide ista, Domine, misericorditer, et libera nos jam invocantes te; libera etiam eos qui nondum te invocant, ut invocent te, et liberes eos.