Peter Abelard quotes

Peter Abelard was a French medieval philosopher, theologian, and logician, famous for his work on scholastic philosophy and his tragic romance with Héloïse. His writings deeply influenced Western thought, particularly in logic and ethics. He is remembered as one of the most brilliant and controversial thinkers of the Middle Ages. Here are 31 of his quotes:

By doubting we are led to question, by questioning we arrive at the truth.

Peter Abelard

I preferred the weapons of dialectic to all the other teachings of philosophy, and armed with these, I chose the conflicts of disputation rather than the trophies of war.

Peter Abelard

The key to wisdom is this - constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning we arrive at the truth.

Peter Abelard

Are you not moved to tears and bitter compassion, when you behold the only Son of God seized by the most impious, dragged away, mocked, scourged, buffeted, spit upon, crowned with thorns, hung upon the infamous cross between two thieves, finally in such a horrible and execrable manner suffering death, for your salvation and that of the world?

Peter Abelard

The men who abandon themselves to the passions of this miserable life, are compared in Scripture to beasts.

Peter Abelard

Q3 Is there any knowledge of things unseen, or not?

Peter Abelard

Q1 Must human faith be completed by reason, or not?

Peter Abelard

Q4 May one believe only in God alone, or not?

Peter Abelard

Q5 Is God a single unitary being, or not?

Peter Abelard

The beginning of wisdom is found in doubting; by doubting we come to the question, and by seeking we may come upon the truth.

Peter Abelard

The master key of knowledge is, indeed, a persistent and frequent questioning.

Peter Abelard

In fact we say that an intention is good, that is, right in itself, but that an action does not bear any good in itself but proceeds from a good intention.

Peter Abelard

I have ventured to bring together various dicta of the holy fathers, as they came to mind, and to formulate certain questions which were suggested by the seeming contradictions in the statements.

Peter Abelard

There are many seeming contradictions and even obscurities in the innumerable writings of the church fathers. Our respect for their authority should not stand in the way of an effort on our part to come at the truth.

Peter Abelard

The fathers did not themselves believe that they, or their companions, were always right. Augustine found himself mistaken in some cases and did not hesitate to retract his errors.

Peter Abelard

Sometimes I grieve for the house of the Paraclete, and wish to see it again. Ah, Philintus! does not the love of Heloise still burn in my heart? I have not yet triumphed over that happy passion.

Peter Abelard

I give you advice, which could I myself follow, I should be happy.

Peter Abelard

Often the hearts of men and women are stirred, as likewise they are soothed in their sorrows, more by example than by words.

Peter Abelard

When love has once been sincere, how difficult it is to determine to love no more? 'Tis a thousand times more easy to renounce the world than love.

Peter Abelard

A writer may use different terms to mean the same thing, in order to avoid a monotonous repetition of the same word. Common, vague words may be employed in order that the common people may understand; and sometimes a writer sacrifices perfect accuracy in the interest of a clear general statement. Poetical, figurative language is often obscure and vague.

Peter Abelard

How mighty are the Sabbaths, How mighty and how deep, That the high courts of heaven To everlasting keep.

Peter Abelard

Our redemption through the suffering of Christ is that deeper love within us which not only frees us from slavery to sin, but also secures for us the true liberty of the children of God, in order that we might do all things out of love rather than out of fear - love for him that has shown us such grace that no greater can be found.

Peter Abelard