31). He is clearly "plunged into miseries, confusion, and error" ( I, xx, 31). He admits he enjoyed sinful acts such as sealing and sexual pleasures in Book II and VI, besides the numerous others. Here we can see Augustine developing self-knowledge. He knows he followed the wrong source of truth, that of which was in God. Augustine feels that sin is what keeps people from faith. Faith comes from God and His guidelines. To know oneself is to know God and faith. Augustine states "that in you all things are finite, not in the sense that the space they occupy is bounded, but in the same sense that you hold all things in your hand by your truth ( VII, xv, 21)/ Augustine also uses the word false to define something created by ones own mind, and imaginary. In order for Augustine to be true to hisself and God, he cannot believe in the falsehoods of imagined existence.Augustine makes a progression from one system of belief to another. At first, he believed in the Manichee way but because of central conflicts that were not present in that religion, he changes. He develops certain beliefs based on his knowledge, and in believing in them so strongly, he finds a new religion. This is the importance of Augustine converting religions. Augustine could not return to the Catholic faith because his mind demanded that he "think in parts limited to the shape of the human body" (V, x, 20). He finds he is wrong to see God as a human form. Within him, Augustine held the ability to know that the teachings of Mani were not true. Obviously, he is on the right track to finding truth, knowledge, and faith.As Augustine moves away from the Manichees, his search for self-knowledge becomes a bit difficult and confusing again. He finds it hard to deal with he concept of Gods being and the being of evil. After conflicting with hisself, he finds his foundation of life is that of truth coming from God. He is growing is with the ability to accept God. Aga...
