Saint Thomas Aquinas Quotes

Saint Thomas Aquinas Quotes

The prayerless soul makes no progress whatever.

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?

Without sanctifying grace it is not possible to refrain long from mortal sin.

It is unlawful to desire vengeance considered as evil to the man who is to be punished, but it is praiseworthy to desire vengeance as a corrective of vice and for the good of justice; and to this the sensitive appetite can tend, in so far as it is moved thereto by the reason: and when revenge is taken in accordance with the order of judgment, it is God's work, since he who has power to punish "is God's minister," as stated in Romans 13:4.

The soul is like an uninhabited world that comes to life only when God lays His head against us.

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

Love follows knowledge.

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 

Rarely affirm, seldom deny, always distinguish.

Obedience unites us so closely to God that 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. 

The things that we love tell us what we are.

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. 

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

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

Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures.

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.

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.

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. 

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

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.

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

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

Wonder is the desire of knowledge.

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.

Almighty and Eternal God, behold I come to the Sacrament of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. As one sick, I come to the Physician of life; unclean, to the Fountain of mercy; blind, to the Light of eternal splendor; poor and needy, to the Lord of heaven and earth. Therefore, I beg of You, through Your infinite mercy and generosity, heal my weakness, wash my uncleanness, give light to my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness. May I thus receive the Bread of Angels, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, with such reverence and humility, contrition and devotion, purity and faith, purpose and intention, as shall aid my soul's salvation ...

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

The happy man in this life needs friends.

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

The cross is my sure salvation,

The cross which I worship continually,

The Lord's cross be with me,

The cross be my refuge.'

St. Thomas Aquinas

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