Ambrose quotes

Ambrose was a Roman bishop and influential theologian, best known as the Bishop of Milan. His teachings and leadership helped shape early Christian doctrine and church-state relations. He is remembered for his eloquence, strong moral principles, and role in the conversion of St. Augustine. Here are 112 of his quotes:

The Lord was Baptized, not to be cleansed Himself, but to cleanse the waters, so that those waters, cleansed by the flesh of Christ which knew no sin, might have the power of Baptism. (Ambrose)
The devil loves noise; Christ looks for silence. View quote
Ambrose
It is not from your own goods that you give to the beggar; it is a portion of his own that you are restoring to him. The Earth belongs to all. So you are paying back a debt and think you are making a gift to which you are not bound. View quote
Ambrose
Our own evil inclinations are far more dangerous than any external enemies. View quote
Ambrose
When we speak about wisdom, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about virtue, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about justice, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about peace, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about truth and life and redemption, we are speaking about Christ. View quote
Ambrose
You are not making a gift of what is yours to the poor man, but you are giving him back what is his. You have been appropriating things that are meant to be for the common use of everyone. The earth belongs to everyone, not to the rich. View quote
Ambrose
No one heals himself by wounding another. View quote
Ambrose
Stephen prayed for his persecutors, who had not been able even to listen to the Name of Christ, when he said of those very men by whom he was being stoned: "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge" And we see the result of this prayer in the case of the Apostle, for Paul, who kept the garments of those who were stoning Stephen, not long after became an apostle by the grace of God, having before been a persecutor. View quote
Ambrose
When I am at 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, if you would neither give offence to others, nor take offence from them. View quote
Ambrose
Prayer is the wing wherewith the soul flies to heaven, and meditation the eye wherewith we see God. View quote
Ambrose
The rich man who gives to the poor does not bestow alms but pays a debt. (Ambrose)
O most merciful Father, put far from me all my iniquities and all my offences; so that, by Thee made whole in body and in soul, I may be accounted worthy to approach the Holy of holies. View quote
Ambrose
If someone offends you, don't tell anyone about it except your elder, and you will be peaceful. Bow to everyone, paying no attention whether they respond to your bow or not. You must humble yourself before everyone and consider yourself the worst of all. If we have not committed the sins that others have, perhaps this is because we did not have the opportunity - the situation and circumstances were different. In each person there is something good and something bad; we usually see only the vices in people and we see nothing that is good. View quote
Ambrose
What is impossible to God? Not that which is difficult to His power, but that which is contrary to His nature. View quote
Ambrose
When we find ouselves in some grave danger we must not lose courage but firmly trust in God, for where there is the greatest danger, there is also the greatest help from Him who wants to be called our 'Help' in times of peace and in times of tribulation. View quote
Ambrose
True repentance is to cease from sin. View quote
Ambrose
May each one of us glorify the Lord with the soul of Mary and rejoice in God with the spirit of Mary. View quote
Ambrose
If you are at Rome, live in the Roman style; if you are elsewhere, live as they live there. View quote
Ambrose
The devil tempts that he may ruin; God tests that he may crown. View quote
Ambrose
As in paradise, God walks in the Holy Scriptures, seeking man. View quote
Ambrose
Forget not, O Lord, that I am one of those whom Thou hast created, and with Thine own blood hast redeemed. I repent me of my sins: I will strive to amend my ways. (Ambrose)
The devil's snare does not catch you, unless you are first caught by the devil's bait. View quote
Ambrose
We should pray to the angels, for they are given to us as guardians. View quote
Ambrose
Do not desert a friend in time of need, nor forsake him nor fail him, for friendship is the support of life. Let us then bear our burdens as the Apostle has taught (cf. Gal. 6:2): for he spoke to those whom the charity of the same one body had embraced together. If friends in prosperity help friends, why do they not also in times of adversity offer their support? Let us aid by giving counsel, let us offer our best endeavors, let us sympathize with them with all our heart. View quote
Ambrose
Many a sin has sullied me in body and in soul because I did not restrain my thoughts nor guard my lips: nevertheless it is to Thee, O God of majesty and love, that I turn in my extremity, for Thou art the fount of mercy; to Thee, as quickly as I may, I speed: for Thou alone canst heal me; I take refuge under Thy protection. View quote
Ambrose