Thomas Aquinas Quotes

A collection of quotes by Thomas Aquinas.

Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was a highly influential philosopher and theologian of the medieval period. Born into an aristocratic family in Roccasecca, Italy, he began his education at the young age of five. Recognizing his aptitude for learning, his parents sent him to study at the University of Naples. However, against his family's wishes, Thomas decided to join the Dominican Order at the age of 19.

Thomas Aquinas would go on to become one of the most significant figures in the development of Scholastic philosophy and theology. Drawing upon the works of ancient writers like Aristotle and merging them with Christian thought, he sought to reconcile faith and reason. His magnum opus, the "Summa Theologica," explores various theological and philosophical topics, addressing issues such as the existence of God, morality, and the nature of human beings.

Aquinas developed the concept of natural law, arguing that there are objective moral principles that can be discovered through reason. He also made important contributions to the understanding of the relationship between faith and reason, affirming that they are compatible and complement each other. His philosophical ideas had a profound impact not only within the Christian tradition but also in shaping Western philosophy at large.

Thomas Aquinas' profound intellectual legacy continues to be studied and debated today. He was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1323, recognizing his significant contributions to theology and philosophy.

Good can exist without evil, whereas evil cannot exist witho

Good can exist without evil, whereas evil cannot exist without good.

If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, h

If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever.

Faith has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with

Faith has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with things that are not in hand.

Happiness is secured through virtue it is a good attained by

Happiness is secured through virtue it is a good attained by man's own will.

The things that we love tell us what we are.

The things that we love tell us what we are.

Beauty adds to goodness a relation to the cognitive faculty:

Beauty adds to goodness a relation to the cognitive faculty: so that good means that which simply pleases the appetite; while the beautiful is something pleasant to apprehend.

Better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to oth

Better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate.

Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass o

Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine.

Repeticio est mater studiorum.

Repeticio est mater studiorum.

Those who are more adapted to the active life can prepare th

Those who are more adapted to the active life can prepare themselves for contemplation in the practice of the active life, while those who are more adapted to the contemplative life can take upon themselves the works of the active life so as to become yet more apt for contemplation.

Beware of the person of one book.

Beware of the person of one book.

The highest manifestation of life consists in this: that a b

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.

A man has free choice to the extent that he is rational.

A man has free choice to the extent that he is rational.

Well-ordered self-love is right and natural.

Well-ordered self-love is right and natural.

To convert somebody go and take them by the hand and guide t

To convert somebody go and take them by the hand and guide them.

Because philosophy arises from awe, a philosopher is bound i

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.

Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds t

Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion.

Most men seem to live according to sense rather than reason.

Most men seem to live according to sense rather than reason.

Wonder is the desire for knowledge.

Wonder is the desire for knowledge.

Now this relaxation of the mind from work consists on playfu

Now this relaxation of the mind from work consists on playful words or deeds. Therefore it becomes a wise and virtuous man to have recourse to such things at times.