Happiness is secured through virtue; it is a good attained by man’s own will.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Will Power, Will, Willpower
Those who are more adapted to the active life can prepare themselves for contemplation in the practice of the active life, while those who are more adapted to the contemplative life can take upon themselves the works of the active life so as to become yet more apt for contemplation.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Action
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
Topics: Philosophy, Philosophers
Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Character
To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Explanation, Faith
Far graver is it to corrupt the faith that is the life of the soul than to counterfeit the money that sustains temporal life.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Belief, Faith
Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of good wine.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Sorrow, Wine
I would rather feel compassion than know the meaning of it.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: One liners, Compassion
Charity brings to life again those who are spiritually dead.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Charity
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.
—Thomas Aquinas
When fear is excessive it can make many a man despair.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Fear
The theologian considers sin mainly as an offence against God; the moral philosopher as contrary to reasonableness.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Religion
To convert somebody go and take them by the hand and guide them.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Persuasion
Justice is a certain rectitude of mind whereby a man does what he ought to do in the circumstances confronting him.
—Thomas Aquinas
Most men seem to live according to sense rather than reason.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Reason
Among all human pursuits, the pursuit of wisdom is more perfect, more noble, more useful, and more full of joy.
—Thomas Aquinas
In order for a war to be just, three things are necessary. First, the authority of the sovereign. Secondly, a just cause. Thirdly, a rightful intention.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Authority
To bear with patience wrongs done to oneself is a mark of perfection, but to bear with patience wrongs done to someone else is a mark of imperfection and even of actual sin.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Patience
Faith is God’s work within us.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Belief, Faith
Better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate.
—Thomas Aquinas
Repeticio est mater studiorum.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Education
To live well is to work well, to show a good activity.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Action
A man has free choice to the extent that he is rational.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Reason
Beware of the person of one book.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Books, Reading
Not everything that is more difficult is more meritorious.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Perspective
Art is simply a right method of doing things. The test of the artist does not lie in the will with which he goes to work, but in the excellence of the work he produces.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Art
Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, and without friends even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Friends and Friendship, Friendship
By nature all men are equal in liberty, but not in other endowments.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Equality
Law; an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has care of the community.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Community
Religious worship is not directed to images in themselves, considered as mere things, but under their distinctive aspect as images leading us on to God incarnate. The movement toward the image does not terminate in it as image, but tends toward that whose image it is.
—Thomas Aquinas
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Bonaventure Italian Christian Scholar
- Francis of Assisi Italian Monk
- Henri Nouwen Dutch Catholic Priest
- Catherine of Siena Italian Mystic
- Blaise Pascal French Philosopher, Scientist
- Pope John XXIII Italian Catholic Religious Leader
- John Vianney French Catholic Priest
- Jerome Greek Priest
- Desiderius Erasmus Dutch Humanist, Scholar
- Bernard of Clairvaux French Catholic Religious Leader
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