Saint Augustines Pear Theft

By Phineas Master Click to editUpham subtitle style

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Introduction
Phineas Upham examines the incident of Saint Augustines pear theft in Confessions, and Augustines conclusions on virtue, sin, and redemption.

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Human Happiness by Phineas Upham

The nature of sin and virtue as revealed in Saint Augustines confession of the pear theft, and the confession of the greatness of mans need of Gods great mercy.

There was a pear tree near our vineyard laden with fruit, though attractive in neither color nor taste. To shake the fruit off the tree and carry off the pears, I and a gang of naughty adolescents set off late at night after (in our usual pestilential way) we had continued our game in the streets. We carried off a huge load of pears. But they were not for our feasts but merely to throw to the pigs, (p29).

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Human Happiness by Phineas Upham

Augustines confession of the pear theft is that drop of dew in which one can see reflected all the colors of Augustines demanding concept of sin and virtue. Recounting his pear theft Saint Augustine analyses what seemed in his youth a comradely escapade, a youthful prank; and he finds that this pear theft was as significant as the apple theft in the Garden of Eden. Saint Augustine examines in this act of pear theft his impudence and his audacity in trying out the liberty of God.

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Human Happiness by Phineas Upham

As Adams and Eves disobedience in The Garden of Eden expresses a restless desire to be Godlike and gain Gods knowledge of Good and Evil, so Saint Augustines violation, his sin for its own sake, expresses a restless desire for Gods Liberty. In this maimed liberty in which he viciously and perversely imitate[d] my Lord, Augustine was thereby making an assertion of possessing a dim resemblance to omnipotence (p32). It is this demonic imitation of God that Augustine did love in that theft. He loved the essential audacity of theft, the audacity of the exercise of Gods lawunto-himselfness and the disregard of spiritual consequence with a callow assumption of impunity.

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Human Happiness by Phineas Upham

Augustines rigorous and analytical examination of the nature of his pear theft is alternated with expressions of pious exhilaration with God, You alone are worthy of honor and are glorious for eternity. Who is to be feared but God alone? These alternations make Augustines confessions engaging and readable rather than relentless. Also adding to the liveliness and effectiveness of the pear theft story are Augustines contrary uses of similar words in unlikely juxtaposition, for example a friendship too unfriendly, and ashamed not to be shameless, and the satiety of your love is insatiable (p34).

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Human Happiness by Phineas Upham

In these intriguing terms Augustine emphasizes that the theft was for its own sake and not for pears, The fruit was beautiful, but was not that which my miserable soul coveted My feasting was only on the wickedness which I took pleasure in enjoying (p31). Not only was Augustines theft not for pears and not only was it an attempt to displace and assume Gods liberty and 4/20/12 omnipotence, but also it was as grave
Human Happiness by Phineas Upham

How different this confession from the Old Testaments Psalm 139 in which a demanding God is called upon to behold an upright and wondrously made man and his moral achievement, Do I not hate them [His enemies] with a perfect hatred see if there be any wicked way in me. But Saint Augustine does not find God as demanding as He is merciful, nor does he find that the progress of a mans soul requires achievement as much as submission.

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Human Happiness by Phineas Upham

Therefore Saint Augustine considers it ungrateful of Gods mercy to ascribe purity or innocency , virtue or strength to any man for, at best, his uncommitted sins. I also attribute to your grace whatever evil acts I have not done. No one who considers his frailty would dare to attribute to his own strength his chastity and innocence (p32). In his pious delight in submission to God and 4/20/12 in his exhaustive gratitude for Gods
Human Happiness by Phineas Upham

About the Author

Phineas Uphamgraduated from theWharton School of the University of Pennsylvania,where he was awarded for his research and served in leading community service roles. Upham published a successful book in 2002 that was translated into Mandarin and sold in the US, Europe and China, and has since edited two more. He has also written a nationally syndicated newspaper column and had his work published in numerous scholarly journals. Phineas Upham is a frequent contributor to blogs like Thought Suite.

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About the Author (contd)

Phineas Uphamcurrently works as aninvestorin New York City and San Francisco, where he has previously worked doing financial research and analysis for a bulgebracket investment bank and most recently in macroeconomic and technology investing at a leading hedge fund. Upham's community service involvement includes serving as a member of the Board of theUniversity of Pennsylvania Museum's Young Friends,where he led major aspects of its community outreach in West Philadelphia and was responsible for all graduate student involvement in the Museum.Phineasreceived his undergraduate degree with Honors fromHarvard University. He is a Term Member at theCouncil on Foreign Relations.

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