50 Thomas Aquinas Quotes for Curious Thinkers

Thomas Aquinas, one of the most influential philosophers and theologians of the Middle Ages, left an enduring legacy with his writings on faith, reason, and ethics. His works have shaped Christian theology and Western philosophy, offering deep insights into the nature of God, human reason, and the moral life. Here are profound Thomas Aquinas quotes that continue to inspire and enlighten.

The Wisdom of Thomas Aquinas

Aquinas’s words bridge the gap between faith and reason, encouraging us to think deeply about the divine, human nature, and the pursuit of truth. Here’s why Aquinas’s quotes resonate with so many:

• Faith and Reason: His writings help to reconcile religious faith with intellectual reasoning.
• Moral Guidance: Aquinas provides a moral framework that challenges us to lead virtuous lives.
• Theological Depth: His reflections on God, love, and the human soul continue to inspire theological exploration.

Profound Thomas Aquinas Quotes

Quotes on Faith and Reason

1. "Faith has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with things that are not at hand."
2. "To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible."
3. "Reason in man is rather like God in the world."
4. "All that I have written seems like straw to me compared to what has now been revealed to me."
5. "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."

Quotes on Truth and Knowledge

6. "The truth can be persecuted, but not defeated."
7. "Wonder is the desire for knowledge."
8. "Better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate."
9. "There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship."
10. "The study of philosophy is not that we may know what men have thought, but what the truth of things is."

Quotes on Love and Charity

11. "Love follows knowledge."
12. "The things that we love tell us what we are."
13. "Charity is the form, mover, mother, and root of all the virtues."
14. "To love is to will the good of another."
15. "The ultimate end of all human acts is happiness, which is the contemplation of truth."

Quotes on Virtue and Morality

16. "The highest manifestation of life consists in this: that a being governs its own actions."
17. "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."
18. "Justice is a certain rectitude of mind whereby a man does what he ought to do in the circumstances confronting him."
19. "Moral virtue is a mean between two vices, one of excess and the other of deficiency."
20. "Good can exist without evil, whereas evil cannot exist without good."

Quotes on God and Theology

21. "The existence of God can be proved in five ways."
22. "God is that than which nothing greater can be thought."
23. "The knowledge of God is the cause of things."
24. "It is necessary for the perfection of human society that there should be men who devote their lives to contemplation."
25. "Since God is the highest good, he would not allow any evil to exist in his works unless his omnipotence and goodness were such as to bring good even out of evil."

Quotes on Humility and Human Nature

26. "If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever."
27. "The highest knowledge we can have of God in this life is to know that He is above all we can think concerning Him."
28. "It is requisite for the relaxation of the mind that we make use, from time to time, of playful deeds and jokes."
29. "Man cannot live without joy; therefore, when he is deprived of true spiritual joys, it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures."
30. "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."

Quotes on Sin and Redemption

31. "To live well is to work well, to show a good activity."
32. "The first step to wisdom is silence. The second is listening."
33. "Sins are committed in thought, word, and deed."
34. "Every sinful act is a manifestation of a disordered will."
35. "The light of faith makes us see what we believe."

Quotes on Wisdom and Prudence

36. "Prudence is right reason in action."
37. "For those with faith, no explanation is necessary. For those without, none will suffice."
38. "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."
39. "The essence of virtue consists in the good rather than the difficult."
40. "Beware of the person of one book."

Quotes on Happiness and the Soul

41. "Happiness is secured through virtue; it is a good attained by man’s own will."
42. "The soul is like an uninhabited world that comes to life only when God lays His head against us."
43. "The soul is perfected by knowledge and virtue."
44. "Man's ultimate happiness consists in the contemplation of truth."
45. "Man cannot live without some form of happiness, but true happiness is found only in the truth of the soul."

Quotes on Society and Justice

46. "Men are greater than their possessions."
47. "Law is a dictate of reason for the common good, made by him who has care of the community."
48. "It belongs to the same virtue to love and to delight in the presence of friends."
49. "An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law."
50. "Peace is the work of justice indirectly, in so far as justice removes the obstacles to peace."

Conclusion

Thomas Aquinas’s profound reflections continue to influence the realms of philosophy, theology, and ethics today. His deep understanding of faith, reason, and human nature offers timeless wisdom for navigating both the spiritual and worldly aspects of life. Share your favorite Thomas Aquinas quote with someone in search of wisdom, and reflect on how these words can guide you in your own life.

If these quotes spoke to you, share them with friends, family, or colleagues. Let the wisdom of Thomas Aquinas encourage thoughtful reflection on faith, reason, and the pursuit of truth.