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ALLEGED QUOTE: "There are many things that are true which it is not useful for the vulgar crowd to know and
certain things which although they are false it is expedient for the people to believe otherwise." City of God
Though this quote is found in Saint Augustine's City of God, this quote does not come from Augustine. Augustine
is refuting the belief of the pagan, Varro, who believed the common people should not be exposed to the
mythical origins of their beliefs. The actual quote is found within the following text:
"[Varro admits] he does not in his own judgment believe those things which he relates that the Roman state has
instituted... He finds himself bound to accept the traditional names and surnames of the gods, and the histories
connected with them, and that his purpose in investigating and publishing these details is to incline the people to
worship the gods... This most acute man sufficiently indicates that he does not publish all things, because they
would not only have been contemptible to himself, but would have seemed despicable even to the rabble... He
himself [Varro], in another passage, had openly said, in speaking of religious rites, that many things are true
which it is not only not useful for the common people to know, but that it is expedient that the
people should think otherwise, even though falsely, and therefore the Greeks have shut up the religious
ceremonies and mysteries in silence, and within walls. City of God Book IV, Chapter 31.
CONCLUSION: The entire chapter basically consists of Augustine expressing his disgust with Varro's tactics of
deception. Augustine discusses Varro's disbelief of his own religion and his unwillingness to reveal his findings to
the commoners.
ALLEGED QUOTE: "It is lawful, then, to him that discusses, disputes and preaches of things eternal, or to him
that narrates of things temporal pertaining to religion or piety, to conceal at fitting times whatever seems fit to be
concealed." Against Lying Chapter 17
This statement actually is found in Augustine's work, however, the quote is taken out of context. Augustine is
basically discussing the predicament of those who lie for the sake of religion, although he is not endorsing the
act. The full context of the quote shows Augustine examining different types of lies (example: white versus bold
faced lies) before he expresses his opinion that lying is not acceptable. When the above quote is passed around,
skeptics fail to point out Augustine is discussing the actions of others before offering his conclusion:
"Wherefore, from the doctrine of religion, and from those utterances universally, which to are uttered on behalf
of the doctrine of religion, in the teaching and learning of the same, all lies must be utterly kept aloof. Nor can
any causes whatever be found, one should think, why to lie should be told in matters of this kind, when in this
doctrine it is not right to tell to purpose lie for the very of bringing to person to it the more easily. For, ounces
break or slightly diminish the authority of truth, and all things will remain doubtful: which unless they be believed
true, cannot be held as certain. It is lawful then either to him that discourses, disputes, and preaches of things
eternal, or to him that narrates or speaks of things temporal pertaining to edification of religion and piety, to
conceal at fitting times whatever seems fit to be concealed: but to tell to lie is never lawful, therefore
neither to conceal by telling to lie." On Lying Chapter 17
CONCLUSION: Augustine is not condoning the act of lying but is examining the reasons behind those who do.
Furthermore, he states even white lies have the ability to "diminish the authority of truth." In regards to
concealment, Augustine implies personal issues may be kept private. If someone asks the victim of a crime if
such an event occurred, they have every right to tell the inquirer it's none of their businesses. But in matters of
religion, lying is never acceptable.
ALLEGED QUOTE: "I was already bishop of Hippo when I went into Ethiopia with some servants of Christ to
preach the Gospel. In this country we saw many men and women without heads and who had two great eyes in
their breasts. In countries farther south, we saw people who had but one eye in their foreheads." Sermon 37
Augustine's 37th Sermon may be read here. This statement appears nowhere within this sermon or in any of his
works.
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