On the Blessed Life

work by Augustine

Also known as: “De beata vita”

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July 1, 2026

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On the Blessed Life is an early work by Augustine, written around 386 CE. It is a dialogue that explores the nature of a blessed life, reflecting Augustine's engagement with classical philosophy, particularly Platonism, and his developing Christian thought.1

In this work, Augustine, influenced by figures like Cicero, uses a dialogue format to examine what constitutes true happiness. He posits that a blessed life is found not in external circumstances but in the pursuit of eternal, immutable Truth, which he identifies with God. The dialogue suggests that this divine Truth is accessible through the mind and is the ultimate goal of human striving. This early work foreshadows themes that Augustine would later explore more deeply in his more famous writings, such as Confessions and The City of God.23

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St. Augustine
Early writings
…Providence), De beata vita (386; On the Blessed Life), and Soliloquia (386/387; Soliloquies). These works both do and do not resemble Augustine’s later ecclesiastical writings and are greatly debated for their historical and biographical significance, but the debates should not obscure the fact that they are charming and intelligent pieces.…
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…Providence), De beata vita (386; On the Blessed Life), and Soliloquia (386/387; Soliloquies). These works both do and do not resemble Augustine’s later ecclesiastical writings and are greatly debated for their historical and biographical significance, but the debates should not obscure the fact that they are charming and intelligent pieces.…
Read More