Quotes By Thomas Aquinas
The highest manifestation of life consists in this: that a being governs its own actions. A thing which is always subject to the direction of another is somewhat of a dead thing.
Thomas Aquinas
To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.
Thomas Aquinas
If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever.
Thomas Aquinas
Every judgement of conscience, be it right or wrong, be it about things evil in themselves or morally indifferent, is obligatory, in such wise that he who acts against his conscience always sins.
Thomas Aquinas
Law is nothing other than a certain ordinance of reason for the common good, promulgated by the person who has the care of the community.
Thomas Aquinas
In order for a war to be just, three things are necessary. First, the authority of the sovereign. Secondly, a just cause. Thirdly, a rightful intention.
Thomas Aquinas
The test of the artist does not lie in the will with which he goes to work, but in the excellence of the work he produces.
Thomas Aquinas
Hold firmly that our faith is identical with that of the ancients. Deny this, and you dissolve the unity of the Church.
Thomas Aquinas
How can we live in harmony? First we need to know we are all madly in love with the same God.
Thomas Aquinas
Perfection of moral virtue does not wholly take away the passions, but regulates them.
Thomas Aquinas
Better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate.
Thomas Aquinas
As regards the individual nature, woman is defective and misbegotten, for the active power of the male seed tends to the production of a perfect likeness in the masculine sex; while the production of a woman comes from defect in the active power.
Thomas Aquinas
Three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire; and to know what he ought to do.
Thomas Aquinas
Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, and without friends even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious.
Thomas Aquinas
To bear with patience wrongs done to oneself is a mark of perfection, but to bear with patience wrongs done to someone else is a mark of imperfection and even of actual sin.
Thomas Aquinas
God should not be called an individual substance, since the principal of individuation is matter.
Thomas Aquinas
Man should not consider his material possession his own, but as common to all, so as to share them without hesitation when others are in need.
Thomas Aquinas
Clearly the person who accepts the Church as an infallible guide will believe whatever the Church teaches.
Thomas Aquinas
How is it they live in such harmony the billions of stars - when most men can barely go a minute without declaring war in their minds about someone they know.
Thomas Aquinas