Further, all men are to be loved equally. But since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special regard to those who, by the accidents of time, … - Augustine of Hippo

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Further, all men are to be loved equally. But since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special regard to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstance, are brought into closer connection with you. For, suppose that you had a great deal of some commodity, and felt bound to give it away to somebody who had none, and that it could not be given to more than one person; if two persons presented themselves, neither of whom had either from need or relationship a greater claim upon you than the other, you could do nothing fairer than choose by lot to which you would give what could not be given to both. Just so among men: since you cannot consult for the good of them all, you must take the matter as decided for you by a sort of lot, according as each man happens for the time being to be more closely connected with you.

Book 1, Chapter 28 - How we are to decide whom to aid

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About Augustine of Hippo

St. Augustine of Hippo (13 November 354 – 28 August 430) was a Christian theologian, rhetor, North African bishop, Doctor of the Catholic Church, saint, and a philosopher influenced in his early years by Manichaeism and the Neo-Platonism of Plotinus.

Biography information from Wikiquote

Also Known As

Native Name: Aurelius Augustinus
Alternative Names: Saint Augustine Saint Austin Augustine St. Augoustinos St. Augustine of Hippo Aurelius Augustine Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis St. Augustine Augustinus Saint Augustine of Hippo Augustinus, Aurelius bishop of Hippo
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Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by accidents of time, or place, or circumstance, are brought into closer connection with you.

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"Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you." -St. Augustine of Hippo

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