Augustine of Hippo

“ Such have I learned infants to be from observing them; and, that I was myself such, they who knew it not, have shown me better than my nurses who knew it.
And, lo! my infancy is dead long since, and I live! But Thou, Lord, who for ever livest, and in whom nothing dies: for before the beginnings of the ages and before all that can be called "before," Thou art, and art God and Lord of all which Thou hast created ”

“ I acknowledge Thee, Lord of heaven and earth, and praise Thee for my beginnings of life, and for my infancy, whereof I remember nothing; for Thou hast appointed that man should form conjectures as to himself from the things of others; and even believe much on the authority of mere women. Even then I had being and life, and towards the close of my infancy I began to seek for signs, whereby to make know my feelings to others. Whence could such a living thing be, save from Thee, Lord? Shall any be artificer to fashion himself? ”

“ For this I since have learned, that Thou dost call to me by these gifts, which within me and without me Thou dost give. For then I knew but to suck; to rest in the delights, but to weep in the vexations of the flesh ”