“Why is dust and ashes proud?” Why proud! Let the Scripture tell why. “Because in his life he put forth his inmost parts.”
What is “put forth,” but “threw afar off”? This is to go forth away. For to enter within, is to long after the inmost parts; to put forth the inmost parts, is to go forth away. The proud man puts forth the inmost parts, the humble man earnestly desires the inmost parts. If we are cast out by pride, let us return by humility.

The above paragraph is written by St Augustine of 4th Century. I cannot understand his definition of pride and humility.

Vipim -

there was no such thing as the English language in the 4thCentury. Saint A. wrote in Latin.

It looks very much as though someone has tried to translate the original Latin - which was probably not Pure Latin but a vulgate language in England during the third millennium.

Either way, this passage looks like the kind of "translation" one gets from Google Translate: utterly senseless.

The works of Saint A. are well-known and used even today. I think you need to find this passage in a correctly translated source.

Don't worry about trying to find some kind of meaning in this passage you quoted - it's impossible.

If, however, you are genuinely interested in Augustine's ideas on pride and humility, a very clear - though rather long, explanation.

https://www.academia.edu/1704480/Augustine_of_Hippo_on_Pride_and_Humility_Damnation_and_Redemption

Saint A. is well-known for these ideas and any discussion on him will mention them.

Thanks Drag0, that much does make sense now, like you I find the rest indecipherable.

That makes sense.

I also had the idea that he was referring to people who are "proud to be humble" - those who put ashes on their heads and sit in front of the temple - but are really just showing off how holy they are.
Like the concept I have of the Pharisees from the New Testament.

agreed