The Greatness of the Soul
Translated by Joseph M. Colleran
Newman Press, Westminster, Maryland, 1950, Ancient Christian Writers 9
First written c. 388
About this text
Augustine’s early dialogue with his friend Evodius on the soul: that it is not extended in space, and that its greatness is one of power. It ends with the seven levels of the soul, from giving life to the body to the contemplation of truth.
How to cite
Augustine of Hippo. The Greatness of the Soul: De quantitate animae; with The Teacher. Translated by Joseph M. Colleran. Ancient Christian Writers 9. Newman Press, Westminster, Maryland, 1950.
Cited in Metanoia
- Why Seven?Six traditions, six maps of the inner path, each in seven stages. Set side by side, they share a shape: a beginning in ordering the life, a hinge where effort gives way, a passage through darkness, a peace that returns to the world. They differ on what is found at the end. The last of seven essays asks what the agreement means, and what to do with the maps.
- The Seven Levels of the SoulA year after his conversion, Augustine sat with a friend in Rome and asked how great the soul is. His answer ends with seven levels: the soul giving life, sensing, making, striving for virtue, at peace, turning towards God, and contemplating truth. The oldest of the maps in this series, and a key to the others. The sixth of seven essays on the maps of the inner path.
Cite this entry
“The Greatness of the Soul.” Source. The Library, Unitive Knowledge Society. Last modified November 8, 2026. https://www.unitiveknowledge.org/library/sources/greatness-of-the-soul-colleran.
“The Greatness of the Soul,” source, The Library, Unitive Knowledge Society, last modified November 8, 2026, https://www.unitiveknowledge.org/library/sources/greatness-of-the-soul-colleran.
“The Greatness of the Soul.” The Library, Unitive Knowledge Society, 8 Nov. 2026, www.unitiveknowledge.org/library/sources/greatness-of-the-soul-colleran.
@misc{sources-greatness-of-the-soul-colleran, title = {{The Greatness of the Soul}}, howpublished = {The Library, Unitive Knowledge Society}, note = {Source. Last modified November 8, 2026}, year = {2026}, url = {https://www.unitiveknowledge.org/library/sources/greatness-of-the-soul-colleran} }