Italian Dominican friar & priest (1225-1274)
An angel can illuminate the thought and mind of man by strengthening the power of vision, and by bringing within his reach some truth which the angel himself contemplates.
THOMAS AQUINAS
attributed, Angels: A Joyous Celebration
Faith will tell us Christ is present,
When our human senses fail.
THOMAS AQUINAS
Pange Lingua Gloriosi Corporis Mysterium
All men are equal in nature, and also in original sin. It is in the merits and demerits of their actions that they differ.
THOMAS AQUINAS
Summa Theologica
Music is the exaltation of the mind derived from things eternal, bursting forth in sound.
THOMAS AQUINAS
Summa Theologica
Natural inclinations are present in things from God, who moves all things. So it is impossible for the natural inclinations of a species to be toward evil in itself. But there is in all perfect animals a natural inclination toward carnal union. Therefore it is impossible for carnal union to be evil in itself.
THOMAS AQUINAS
Summa Contra Gentiles
Justice is in subjects as well as in rulers.
THOMAS AQUINAS
Justice
True peace consists in not separating ourselves from the will of God.
THOMAS AQUINAS
attributed, Treasury of Spiritual Wisdom
Charity is love; not all love is charity.
THOMAS AQUINAS
Summa Theologica
First, I say that he draws near to those who make peace with him. For God is the One who brings about peace; and where else should peace dwell than in peace?
THOMAS AQUINAS
"Osanna filio David", The Academic Sermons
A thing is lovable according as it is good. But God is infinite good. Therefore He is infinitely lovable.
THOMAS AQUINAS
On Charity
One will observe that all things are arranged according to their degrees of beauty and excellence, and that the nearer they are to God, the more beautiful and better they are.
THOMAS AQUINAS
sermon on the Apostles' Creed
Wonder is the desire of knowledge.
THOMAS AQUINAS
Summa Theologica
Man cannot live without joy. That is why one deprived of spiritual joys goes over to carnal pleasures.
THOMAS AQUINAS
Summa Theologica
To the Everlasting Father,
And the Son who made us free
And the Spirit, God proceeding
From them Each eternally,
Be salvation, honour, blessing,
Might and endless majesty.
THOMAS AQUINAS
Pange Lingua Gloriosi Corporis Mysterium
Whatever is in motion must be put in motion by another. If that by which it is put in motion be itself put in motion, then this also must needs be put in motion by another, and that by another again. But this cannot go on to infinity, because then there would be no first mover, and, consequently, no other mover; seeing that subsequent movers move only inasmuch as they are put in motion by the first mover; as the staff moves only because it is put in motion by the hand. Therefore it is necessary to arrive at a first mover, put in motion by no other; and this everyone understands to be God.
THOMAS AQUINAS
Summa Theologica
God has no need for our worship. It is we who need to show our gratitude for what we have received.
THOMAS AQUINAS
attributed, Treasury of Spiritual Wisdom
Man is closer to God according to his existence in grace than he is according to his existence in nature.
THOMAS AQUINAS
On Charity
The highest perfection of human life consists in the mind of man being detached from care, for the sake of God.
THOMAS AQUINAS
Summa Contra Gentiles
Even as in the blessed in heaven there will be most perfect charity, so in the damned there will be the most perfect hate. Wherefore as the saints will rejoice in all goods, so will the damned grieve for all goods. Consequently the sight of the happiness of the saints will give them very great pain.
THOMAS AQUINAS
Summa Theologica
Eternity is called whole, not because it has parts, but because it is lacking in nothing.
THOMAS AQUINAS
attributed, Treasury of Spiritual Wisdom