When I am in Rome, I fast as the Romans do; when I am at Milan, I do not fast. So likewise you, whatever church you come to, observe the custom of the place.

[Cum Romanum venio, ieiuno Sabbato; cum hic sum, non ieiuno: sic etiam tu, ad quam forte ecclesiam veneris, eius morem serva, si cuiquam non vis esse scandalum nec quemquam tibi.]

St Ambrose
Ambrose of Milan (339-397) Roman theologian, statesman, Christian prelate, saint, Doctor of the Church [Aurelius Ambrosius]
In Augustine, Epistulae, Letter 36 (c. AD 400)

Alt trans.:
  • Popularly, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
  • "When I am at Rome, I fast on a Saturday; when I am at Milan, I do not. Follow the custom of the church where you are."
  • "When I am here, I do not fast on the Sabbath; when I am in Rome, I fast on the Sabbath."
  • Alternately given as "If you are at Rome, live in the Roman style; if you are elsewhere, live as they live there. [Si fueris Romae, Romano vivito more; / Si fueris alibi, vivito sicut ibi.]" in J. Taylor, Ductor Dubitantium, or the Rule of Conscience, I.i.5 (1660).
Various Augustine citations described:
  • Epistulae 36, 14 or 32
  • Letter 54 to Januarius
  • Epistle to Januarius, 2, sec. 18
  • Epistle to Casualanus, 36, sec. 32

 
Added on 1-Feb-04 | Last updated 29-Dec-20
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