Thomas Aquinas Quotes

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

“Beware the man of one book.”

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

“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.”

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

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

“Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.”

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

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

“Perfection of moral virtue does not wholly take away the passions, but regulates them.”

“Rarely affirm, seldom deny, always distinguish.”

“The highest manifestation of life consists in this: that a being governs its own actions. A thing which is always subject to the direction of another is somewhat of a dead thing.”

“The person who accepts the Church as an infallible guide will believe whatever the Church teaches.”

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

“The things that we love tell us what we are.”

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

“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.”

“To convert somebody, go and take them by the hand and guide them.”

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

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

“Wonder is the desire for knowledge.”