St. Augustine Mug
Beard, courage, and the formation of the soul
“The beard signifies the courageous; the beard distinguishes the grown men, the earnest, the active, the vigorous. So that when we describe such, we say, he is a bearded man.”
Known for plumbing the depths of memory, desire, and grace, Saint Augustine was also sharply attentive to the formation of character. This line—half playful, half pointed—reflects Augustine’s conviction that maturity is not merely biological but moral and spiritual. The beard, in his telling, becomes a symbol: not of vanity, but of courage; not of appearance, but of responsibility.
For Augustine, to grow up was to grow inward—to move from restlessness toward ordered love, from impulse toward intention. Seriousness of life did not mean joylessness, but vigor: a life actively given over to truth, discipline, and rightly directed desire.
This mug is for those who appreciate theology with texture and wit—for readers who know that faith forms habits, not just opinions, and that growing up is a lifelong task. It’s a nod to the old conviction that courage, seriousness, and strength of soul still matter… even before the first cup of coffee.
• Ceramic
• 11 oz mug dimensions: 3.8″ (9.6 cm) in height, 3.2″ (8.2 cm) in diameter
• 15 oz mug dimensions: 4.7″ (11.9 cm) in height, 3.3″ (8.5 cm) in diameter
• 20 oz mug dimensions: 4.3″ (10.9 cm) in height, 3.7″ (9.3 cm) in diameter
• Lead and BPA-free material
• Dishwasher and microwave safe
• Blank product sourced from China
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
