Thomas Aquinas quotes

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.

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.

The things that we love tell us what we are.

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

Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.

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

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.

There is but one Church in which men find salvation, just as outside the ark of Noah it was not possible for anyone to be saved.

If forgers and malefactors are put to death by the secular power, there is much more reason for excommunicating and even putting to death one convicted of heresy.

To live well is to work well, to show a good activity.

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.

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.

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

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.

The principal act of courage is to endure and withstand dangers doggedly rather than to attack them.

To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.

Reason in man is rather like God in the world.

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

By nature all men are equal in liberty, but not in other endowments.

If forgers and malefactors are put to death by the secular power, there is much more reason for excommunicating and even putting to death one convicted of heresy.

It is requisite for the relaxation of the mind that we make use, from time to time, of playful deeds and jokes.

Moral science is better occupied when treating of friendship than of justice.

Whatever is received is received according to the nature of the recipient.

We can't have full knowledge all at once. We must start by believing; then afterwards we may be led on to master the evidence for ourselves.

Because we cannot know what God is, but only what He is not, we cannot consider how He is but only how He is not.

The knowledge of God is the cause of things. For the knowledge of God is to all creatures what the knowledge of the artificer is to things made by his art.

Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.

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

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.

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

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

Moral science is better occupied when treating of friendship than of justice.

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.

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.

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.

Hold firmly that our faith is identical with that of the ancients. Deny this, and you dissolve the unity of the Church.

To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.

The knowledge of God is the cause of things. For the knowledge of God is to all creatures what the knowledge of the artificer is to things made by his art.

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

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.

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

By nature all men are equal in liberty, but not in other endowments.

Wonder is the desire for knowledge.