Thomas Aquinas
60 quotes
Biography
"The things that we love tell us what we are."
"Moral science is better occupied when treating of friendship than of justice."
"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible."
"Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope with things that are not at hand."
"Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, and without friends even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious."
"The soul is like an uninhabited worldthat comes to life only whenGod lays His headagainst us."
"Better to illuminate than merely to shine to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate."
"Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen."
"The Study of philosophy is not that we may know what men have thought, but what the truth of things is."
"Because philosophy arises from awe, a philosopher is bound in his way to be a lover of myths and poetic fables. Poets and philosophers are alike in being big with wonder."
"I receive Thee ransom of my soul. For love of Thee have I studied and kept vigil toiled preached and taught…"
"Love takes up where knowledge leaves off."
"Anything done against faith or conscience is sinful."
"Reason in man is rather like God in the world."
"Charity, by which God and neighbor are loved, is the most perfect friendship."
"It must be said that charity can, in no way, exist along with mortal sin."
"The reason, however, why the philosopher may be likened to the poet is this: both are concerned with the marvellous."
"If … the motion of the earth were circular, it would be violent and contrary to nature, and could not be eternal, since … nothing violent is eternal.… It follows, therefore, that the earth is not moved with a circular motion."
"A hymn is the praise of God with song; a song is the exultation of the mind dwelling on eternal things, bursting forth in the voice."
"Omne verum a quocumque dicatur a Spiritu Sancto est."
"Raynalde, non possum, quia omnia quae scripsi videntur mihi palae. Replying to Reginald of Piperno: Videntur mihi palae respectu eorum quae vidi et revelata sunt mihi."
"Anima mea non est ego.<!--Unless someone can prove it's 'sum ego' rather than 'est ego', we'll go with this.-->"
"The order of authority derives from God, as the Apostle says [in Romans 13:1-7]. For this reason, the duty of obedience is, for the Christian, a consequence of this derivation of authority from God, and ceases when that ceases. But, as we have already said, authority may fail to derive from God for two reasons: either because of the way in which authority has been obtained, or in consequence of the use which is made of it. There are two ways in which the first may occur. Either because of a defect in the person, if he is unworthy; or because of some defect in the way itself by which power was acquired, if, for example, through violence, or simony or some other illegal method."
"With regard to the abuse of authority, this also may come about in two ways. First, when what is ordered by an authority is opposed to the object for which that authority was constituted (if, for example, some sinful action is commanded or one which is contrary to virtue, when it is precisely for the protection and fostering of virtue that authority is instituted). In such a case, not only is there no obligation to obey the authority, but one is obliged to disobey it, as did the holy martyrs who suffered death rather than obey the impious commands of tyrants. Secondly, when those who bear such authority command things which exceed the competence of such authority; as, for example, when a master demands payment from a servant which the latter is not bound to make, and other similar cases. In this instance the subject is free to obey or disobey."
"One who liberates his country by killing a tyrant is to be praised and rewarded."