How we cite our quotes: (Book.Section.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Falsehood is nothing but the supposed existence of something which has no being. (VII.15.1)
Well this is a neat little definition of truth, now, isn't it? Truths refer to things that actually exist. Now, one of the ways in which Augustine approaches thinking about God is to take God and the Scriptures as absolutely true, and then to come up with explanations of physical or textual problems around those truths. So this line actually gives us insight into Augustine's philosophical reasoning, and gives us a better understanding of how Augustine comes to the conclusions that he does.
Quote #8
I realized that above my own mind, which was liable to change, there was the never changing, true eternity of truth. (VII.17.1)
Hm, one pesky problem about "truth" is that it can be an adjective or a noun. Now, you might be thinking, "Lots of words are like that and I don't lose any sleep over them." To which we reply, "But in this case, doesn't this mean that there is a distinction being made between 'true' things and the truth?" To which you reply, "Is that a rhetorical question?" To which we answer "Is it?" All right, all right, we'll stop.
Quote #9
True happiness is to rejoice in the truth, for to rejoice in the truth is to rejoice in you, O God, who are the Truth, you, my God, my true Light, to whom I look for salvation. (X.23.1)
This quote brings up a lot of the same issues as the other quotes about truth. Here, Augustine is using "truth" as both an adjective and a noun, and possibly in different ways. And he's conflating the ideas of truth, God, and light. But what's interesting about this passage is that Augustine has managed to make his lifelong quest for truth, as in knowledge, the same as his lifelong spiritual quest. Were they always the same thing? Or is this a new development for our man Augustine?