Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Character
Beware of the person of one book.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Books, Reading
Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, and without friends even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Friendship, Friends and Friendship
Law; an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has care of the community
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Community
Justice is a certain rectitude of mind whereby a man does what he ought to do in the circumstances confronting him.
—Thomas Aquinas
Faith is God’s work within us.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Belief, Faith
Most men seem to live according to sense rather than reason.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Reason
Reason in man is rather like God in the world.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Reason
Not everything that is more difficult is more meritorious.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Perspective
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
Topics: Independence, Self-reliance
Well-ordered self-love is right and natural.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Self-love, Love
To live well is to work well, to show a good activity.
—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
Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of good wine
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Sorrow, Wine
Charity brings to life again those who are spiritually dead.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Charity
The theologian considers sin mainly as an offence against God; the moral philosopher as contrary to reasonableness.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Religion
Among all human pursuits, the pursuit of wisdom is more perfect, more noble, more useful, and more full of joy.
—Thomas Aquinas
When fear is excessive it can make many a man despair.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Fear
Better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate.
—Thomas Aquinas
Faith has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with things that are not in hand.
—Thomas Aquinas
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
Happiness is secured through virtue; it is a good attained by man’s own will.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Willpower, Will Power, Will
He who is dying of hunger must be fed rather than taught.
—Thomas Aquinas
There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Friendship
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
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
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
A man has free choice to the extent that he is rational.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Reason
To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Explanation, Faith
By nature all men are equal in liberty, but not in other endowments.
—Thomas Aquinas
Topics: Equality
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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