Saint Augustine of Hippo

[public domain]

St. Augustine in His Study, by Sandro Botticelli, 1480

Love and Do What You Will

Prayer of Saint Augustine of Hippo (340-430 A.D.)

Therefore once for all this short command is given to you:
“Love and do what you will.”
If you keep silent, keep silent by love;
If you speak, speak by love;
If you correct, correct by love;
If you pardon, pardon by love;
Let love be rooted in you,
and from the root nothing but good can grow.