Thomas Aquinas Quotes

The things that we love tell us what we are.

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.

The greatest kindness one can render to any man consists in leading him from error to truth.

For those with faith, no evidence is necessary; for those without it, no evidence will suffice.

He who is not angry when there is just cause for anger is immoral. Why? Because anger looks to the good of justice. And if you can live amid injustice without anger, you are immoral as well as unjust.

Nothing created has ever been able to fill the heart of man. God alone can fill it infinitely.

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.

To love is to will the good of the other.

To pretend angels do not exist because they are invisible is to believe we never sleep because we don't see ourselves sleeping.

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.

Better to illuminate than merely to shine.

Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.

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.

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

It is only God who creates. Man merely rearranges.

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

The things we love tell us who we are.

Of all the pursuits open to men, the search for wisdom is most perfect, more sublime, more profitable, and more full of joy.

God has no need for our worship. It is we who need to show our gratitude for what we have received.

To love God is something greater than to know Him.

One cannot use an evil action with reference to a good intention.

As mariners are guided into port by the shining of a star, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary.

Humility is the mark of a genuine disciple.

The soul is perfected by knowledge and virtue.

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.