Status Updates From Confessions (The Norton Lib...

Book III: Studies in Carthage. He used to enjoy the theatre but believes the fake sorrow elicited by the imaginary scenarios is dangerous, because the person derives a sense of pleasure from pity. He read Cicero, who's work made him love philosophy and seek truth, and thought the Scriptures to be too simple by comparison. The Manichees led him astray, but his mother had a dream of his return to Christianity.

Book II: Augustine's teenage years. He wonders if children and marriage would have saved him from his lustful behavior, and recalls that his dad did not care about his sinning and was instead excited at the prospect of grandkids. Both parents let him sin as long as he did well in his studies. He stole from a pear tree with friends. He concludes that the thieving itself and having partners in sin was pleasurable.

I already see much of my own thoughts as a skeptic in a religious environment, that alone has made me feel seen in a way that I haven’t been before.