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Thomas Aquinas quotes

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“The theologian considers sin chiefly as an offense against God; and the moral philosopher, as something contrary to reason.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“Since faith rests upon infallible truth, and since the contrary of a truth can never be demonstrated, it is clear that the arguments brought against faith cannot be demonstrations, but are difficulties that can be answered.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“For even as it is better to enlighten than merely to shine, so is it better to give to others the fruits of one's contemplation than merely to contemplate.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“The science of mathematics treats its object as though it were something abstracted mentally, whereas it is not abstract in reality.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“I answer that, Man has free-will: otherwise counsels, exhortations, commands, prohibitions, rewards, and punishments would be in vain.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“Consequently those who are more adapted to the active life can prepare themselves for the contemplative by the practice of the active life; while none the less, those who are more adapted to the contemplative life can take upon themselves the...” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“Consequently love must needs precede hatred; and nothing is hated, save through being contrary to a suitable thing which is loved. And hence it is that every hatred is caused by love.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“It is not theft, properly speaking, to take secretly and use another's property in a case of extreme need: because that which he takes for the support of his life becomes his own property by reason of that need.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“In like manner not everyone who is enlightened by an angel, knows that he is enlightened by him.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“But when erring reason proposes something as being commanded by God, then to scorn the dictate of reason is to scorn the commandment of God.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“Further, nothing, except sin, is contrary to an act of virtue. But war is contrary to peace. Therefore war is always a sin.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“But virtue's true reward is happiness itself, for which the virtuous work: whereas if they worked for honor, it would no longer be a virtue, but ambition.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“For the knowledge of God is to all creatures what the knowledge of the artificer is to things made by his art.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“Thus from the four preceding articles, the definition of law may be gathered; and it is nothing else than an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has care of the community, and promulgated.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“Perfection of moral virtue does not wholly take away the passions, but regulates them; for the temperate man desires as he ought to desire, and what he ought to desire, as stated in Ethic.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“Honor is due to God and to persons of great excellence as a sign of attestation of excellence already existing: not that honor makes them excellent.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“Now, because we cannot know what God is, but rather what He is not, we have no means for considering how God is, but rather how He is not.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“Therefore it is necessary to arrive at a first mover, put in motion by no other; and this everyone understands to be God.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“fear of God is not the beginning of wisdom.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“The third principle is the motive: for instance when a man is moved by one whom he loves, to do good to someone: for whatever we do or suffer for a friend is pleasant, because love is the principal cause of pleasure.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“Again, to make peace either in oneself or among others, shows a man to be a follower of God, Who is the God of unity and peace.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“The power of an angel is not so limited as is the power of the soul.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“Now in matters of action the reason directs all things in view of the end: wherefore the higher the end which attaches to sins in human acts, the graver the sin.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“And also because God cannot be called an individual substance, since the principle of individuation is matter; while God is immaterial: nor is He the subject of accidents, so as to be called a substance.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“Thus the sun which possesses light perfectly, can shine by itself; whereas the moon which has the nature of light imperfectly, sheds only a borrowed light.” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
“It was necessary for man's salvation that there should be a knowledge revealed by God besides philosophical science built up by human reason.”
“every man is not bound to imperil his own body for his neighbor's safety: this belongs to the perfect” Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica

Related topics

reason God contemplation knowledge virtue sin love philosophy perfection truth reality wisdom sharing happiness care poverty freedom will fear power

Related sources

Summa Theologica (27)