He who sings, prays twice.

[Qui cantat, bis orat.]

Augustine of Hippo (354-430) Christian church father, philosopher, saint [b. Aurelius Augustinus]
(Attributed)

Sometimes cited to Sermon 336, but this text is not found  there. Often given as "Qui bene cantat bis orat" (properly, "He who sings well prays twice.")

The closest found in Augustine's work (CCL 39, per here) is:

"For he who sings praise, does not only praise, but also praises joyfully; he who sings praise, not only sings, but also loves Him whom he is singing about/to/for. There is a praise-filled public proclamation  in the praise of someone who is confessing/acknowledging God, in the song of the lover there is love." [Qui enim cantat laudem, non solum laudat, sed etiam hilariter laudat; qui cantat laudem, non solum cantat, sed et amat eum quem cantat. In laude confitentis est praedicatio, in cantico amantis affectio...]

Alternate: "The one who sings praise, not only praises, but also praises joyfully; the one who sings praise, not only sings, but also loves Him for whom he sings. In the praise by one who confesses the Divine Being, praise actually is a public profession; and in the song of the lover is affection for the Beloved."


 
Added on 16-Mar-10 | Last updated 29-Jul-11
Link to this post | No comments
More quotes by Augustine of Hippo

Thoughts? Comments? Corrections? Feedback?