Thomas Aquinas Quotes
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It must be understood that prime matter, and form as well, is neither generated nor corrupted, because every generation is from something to something. Now that from which generation proceeds is matter, and that to which it proceeds is form. So that, if matter or form were generated, there would be a matter for matter and a form for form, endlessly. Whence, there is generation only of the composite, properly speaking.
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Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion.
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Love is a binding force, by which another is joined to me and cherished by myself.
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There would not be a perfect likeness of God in the universe if all things were of one grade of being.
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The greatness of the human being consists in this: that it is capable of the universe.
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If you can live amid injustice without anger, you are immoral as well as unjust.
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There is, therefore, a more perfect intellectual life in the angels. In them the intellect does not proceed to self-knowledge from anything exterior, but knows itself through itself.
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Human salvation demands the divine disclosure of truths surpassing reason.
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The theologian considers sin mainly as an offence against God; the moral philosopher as contrary to reasonableness.
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Just as in one man there is one soul and one body, yet many members; even so the Catholic Church is one body, having many members. The soul that quickens this body is the Holy Spirit; and therefore in the Creed after confessing our belief in the Holy Spirit, we are bid to believe in the Holy Catholic Church.
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All men are equal in nature, and also in original sin. It is in the merits and demerits of their actions that they differ.
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Anything done against faith or conscience is sinful.
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O how unspeakable is this Sacrament which sets our affections ablaze with charity. ... It is the fulfillment of Christ's Mystical Body.
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Down in adoration falling, Lo! the sacred Host we hail; Lo! o'er ancient forms departing, Newer rites of grace prevail; Faith for all defects supplying, Where the feeble senses fail.
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Baptism is not to be conferred on a man who is unwilling to give up his other sins, so neither should Baptism be given to one who is unwilling to renounce his unbelief. Nevertheless, each of them receives the Sacrament if it is conferred on him, although not unto salvation.
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Theology is taught by God, teaches God, and leads to God.
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Justice is in subjects as well as in rulers.
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Miracles are signs not to them that believe, but to them that believe not.
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Man is closer to God according to his existence in grace than he is according to his existence in nature.
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He who is dying of hunger must be fed rather than taught.
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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.
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The Jews should not be allowed to keep what they have obtained from others by usury; it were best that they were compelled to worked so that they could earn their living instead of doing nothing but becoming avaricious.
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What can be accomplished by a few principles is not effected by many. But it seems that everything we see in the world can be accounted for by other principles, supposing God did not exist. For all natural things can be reduced to one principle, which is nature, and all voluntary things can be reduced to one principle, which is human reason, or will. Therefore there is no need to suppose God's existence.
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Whatever a man has in superabundance is owed, of natural right, to the poor for their sustenance.