You were within, and I was outside, looking for you.

What it means

We hunt outside ourselves for what is closest to us. Augustine found that the one he sought had been inside all along. Before you look further away, look deeper in.

The source

"You were within, and I was outside, looking for you." Augustine of Hippo said it in Confessions 10.27.38. Translated by E. B. Pusey, 1838.

"Thou wert within, and I abroad, and there I searched for Thee"

E. B. Pusey, 1838, Confessions 10.27.38. Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Augustine of Hippo (354–430). North African bishop and philosopher. His Confessions, written in Latin around 400, is the first great autobiography in the West.

Questions

What does "You were within, and I was outside, looking for you." mean?

We hunt outside ourselves for what is closest to us. Augustine found that the one he sought had been inside all along. Before you look further away, look deeper in.

Who said "You were within, and I was outside, looking for you."?

Augustine of Hippo (354–430). Source: Confessions 10.27.38.

What is the original wording?

Thou wert within, and I abroad, and there I searched for Thee (E. B. Pusey, 1838). Translated by E. B. Pusey, 1838.

Is "You were within, and I was outside, looking for you." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"You were within, and I was outside, looking for you." (Augustine of Hippo, Confessions 10.27.38, trans. E. B. Pusey, 1838). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/you-were-within-and-i-was-outside-looking