Thomas Aquinas quotes

Thomas Aquinas was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, and theologian, considered one of the greatest minds of medieval scholasticism. His works, especially the Summa Theologica, profoundly influenced Christian theology and Western philosophy. He is remembered for integrating Aristotelian philosophy with Christian thought and laying the foundations for much of Catholic doctrine. Here are 160 of his quotes:

Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.

Thomas Aquinas

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

Thomas Aquinas

Beware of the person of one book.

Thomas Aquinas

The truth of our faith becomes a matter of ridicule among the infidels if any Catholic, not gifted with the necessary scientific learning, presents as dogma what scientific scrutiny shows to be false.

Thomas Aquinas

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

Thomas Aquinas

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.

Thomas Aquinas

The things that we love tell us what we are.

Thomas Aquinas

Reason in man is rather like God in the world.

Thomas Aquinas

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.

Thomas Aquinas

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

Thomas Aquinas

Because philosophy arises from awe, a philosopher is bound in his way to be a lover of myths and poetic fables. Poets and philosophers are alike in being big with wonder.

Thomas Aquinas

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

Thomas Aquinas

Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, and without friends even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious.

Thomas Aquinas

Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope with things that are not at hand.

Thomas Aquinas

If forgers and malefactors are put to death by the secular power, there is much more reason for excommunicating and even putting to death one convicted of heresy.

Thomas Aquinas

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.

Thomas Aquinas

Law; an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has care of the community.

Thomas Aquinas

The fire of hell is called eternal, only because it never ends. Still, there is change in the pains of the lost...Hence in hell true eternity does not exist, but rather time.

Thomas Aquinas

That the saints may enjoy their beatitude and the grace of God more abundantly they are permitted to see the punishment of the damned in hell.

Thomas Aquinas

A hymn is the praise of God with song; a song is the exultation of the mind dwelling on eternal things, bursting forth in the voice.

Thomas Aquinas

To love is to will the good of the other.

Thomas Aquinas

Love follows knowledge.

Thomas Aquinas