Having Conquered His Triple Desire, He Arrives at Salvation.
The Confessions — translated by ANF/NPNF editors
Chapter XLI.—Having Conquered His Triple Desire, He Arrives at Salvation.
66. And thus have I reflected upon the wearinesses of my sins, in that threefold “lust,” and have invoked Thy right hand to my aid. For with a wounded heart have I seen Thy brightness, and being beaten back I exclaimed, “Who can attain unto it?” “I am cut off from before Thine eyes.” Thou art the Truth, who presidest over all things, but I, through my covetousness, wished not to lose Thee, but with Thee wished to possess a lie; as no one wishes so to speak falsely as himself to be ignorant of the truth. So then I lost Thee, because Thou deignest not to be enjoyed with a lie.
Translated by ANF/NPNF editors. Edition ccel.npnf101.division.vi.en.