Quotes from 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?

Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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.

Love follows knowledge.

There must be must be a first mover existing above all – and this we call God.

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

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

It is necessary for the perfection of human society that there should be men who devote their lives to contemplation.

Mercy without justice is the mother of dissolution; justice without mercy is cruelty.

Obedience unites us so closely to God that it in a way transforms us into Him, so that we have no other will but His. If obedience is lacking, even prayer cannot be pleasing to God.

A song is the exultation of the mind dwelling on eternal things, bursting forth in the voice.

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

While injustice is the worst of sins, despair is the most dangerous; because when you are in despair you care neither about yourself nor about others.

Man has free choice, or otherwise counsels, exhortations, commands, prohibitions, rewards and punishments would be in vain.

The human mind may perceive truth only through thinking, as is clear from Augustine.

Man should not consider his material possessions as his own, but as common to all, so as to share them without hesitation when others are in need

If you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ, because he himself is the way.

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.

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.

The blessed in the kingdom of heaven will see the punishments of the damned, in order that their bliss be more delightful for them.

It must be said that charity can, in no way, exist along with mortal sin.

That the saints may enjoy their beatitude and the grace of God more abundantly they are permitted to see the punishment of the damned in hell.

I receive Thee ransom of my soul. For love of Thee have I studied and kept vigil toiled preached and taught…

The slenderest knowledge that may be obtained of the highest things is more desirable than the most certain knowledge obtained of lesser things.