Thomas Aquinas > Quotes

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”
― St. Thomas Aquinas

“Beware the man of a single book.”
― St. Thomas Aquinas

“We must love them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject, for both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in finding it.”
― St. Thomas Aquinas

“The things that we love tell us what we are.”
― St. Thomas Aquinas

“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.”
― Thomas Aquinas

“Fear is such a powerful emotion for humans that when we allow it to take us over, it drives compassion right out of our hearts.”
― Thomas Aquinas

“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.”
― Thomas Aquinas

“The Study of philosophy is not that we may know what men have thought, but what the truth of things is.”
― St. Thomas Aquinas

“Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine”
― St.Thomas Aquinas

“The soul is like an uninhabited world
that comes to life only when
God lays His head
against us.”
― St. Thomas Aquinas

“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.”
― Thomas Aquinas

“Better to illuminate than merely to shine to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate.”
― Thomas Aquinas

“Wonder is the desire of knowledge.”
― 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?”
― Thomas Aquinas

“Most men seem to live according to sense rather than reason.”
― Saint Thomas Aquinas

“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.”
― Thomas Aquinas

“I would rather feel compassion than know the meaning of it. I would hope to act with compassion without thinking of personal gain.”
― Thomas Aquinas

“Rarely affirm, seldom deny, always distinguish.”
― Saint Thomas Aquinas

“Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, and without friends even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious.”
― St. 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

“For those with faith, no evidence is necessary; for those without it, no evidence will suffice.”
― St. Thomas Aquinas

“Love follows knowledge.”
― Thomas Aquinas

“Grant, O Lord my God, that I may never fall away in success or in failure; that I may not be prideful in prosperity nor dejected in adversity. Let me rejoice only in what unites us and sorrow only in what separates us. May I strive to please no one or fear to displease anyone except Yourself. May I see always the things that are eternal and never those that are only temporal. May I shun any joy that is without You and never seek any that is beside You. O Lord, may I delight in any work I do for You and tire of any rest that is apart from You. My God, let me direct my heart towards You, and in my failings, always repent with a purpose of amendment.”
― St. Thomas Aquinas

“The study of truth requires a considerable effort - which is why few are willing to undertake it out of love of knowledge - despite the fact that God has implanted a natural appetite for such knowledge in the minds of men.”
― St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentiles: Volumes 1-4 in Five Books

“The truth of our faith becomes a matter of ridicule among the infidels if any Catholic, not gifted with the necessary scientific learning, presents as dogma what scientific scrutiny shows to be false.”
― St. Thomas Aquinas

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

“There must be must be a first mover existing above all – and this we call God.”
― Thomas Aquinas

“To love is to will the good of the other.”
― Saint Thomas Aquinas

“Faith has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with things that are not in hand.”
― Thomas Aquinas

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