Thomas Aquinas quotes - page 4

With regard to the abuse of authority, this also may come about in two ways. First, when what is ordered by an authority is opposed to the object for which that authority was constituted (if, for example, some sinful action is commanded or one which is contrary to virtue, when it is precisely for the protection and fostering of virtue that authority is instituted). In such a case, not only is there no obligation to obey the authority, but one is obliged to disobey it, as did the holy martyrs who suffered death rather than obey the impious commands of tyrants. Secondly, when those who bear such authority command things which exceed the competence of such authority; as, for example, when a master demands payment from a servant which the latter is not bound to make, and other similar cases. In this instance the subject is free to obey or disobey. (Thomas Aquinas)
All admit that indulgences have some value; for it would be blasphemy to say that the Church does anything in vain. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
God is the most noble of beings. Now it is impossible for a body to be the most noble of beings; for a body must be either animate or inanimate; and an animate body is manifestly nobler than any inanimate body. But an animate body is not animate precisely as body; otherwise all bodies would be animate. Therefore its animation depends upon some other thing, as our body depends for its animation on the soul. Hence that by which a body becomes animated must be nobler than the body. Therefore it is impossible that God should be a body. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
Concerning perfect blessedness which consists in a vision of God. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
One who liberates his country by killing a tyrant is to be praised and rewarded. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
It was necessary for our salvation that there be a knowledge revealed by God, besides philosophical science built up by human reason. Firstly, indeed, because the human being is directed to God, as to an end that surpasses the grasp of his reason. "The eye hath not seen, O God, besides Thee, what things Thou hast prepared for them that wait for Thee" (Isaiah 64:4). But the end must first be known by men who are to direct their thoughts and actions to the end. Hence it was necessary for the salvation of man that certain truths which exceed human reason should be made known to him by divine revelation. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
If man of himself could in a perfect manner know all things visible and invisible, it would indeed be foolish to believe what he does not see. But our manner of knowing is so weak that no philosopher could perfectly investigate the nature of even one little fly. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
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. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
Nothing is in the intellect that was not first in the senses. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
Now, as the Word of God is the Son of God, so the love of God is the Holy Spirit. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
No evil can be excused because it is done with a good intention. (Thomas Aquinas)
There is no order between created being and non-being, but there is between created and uncreated being. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
Man reaches the highest point of his knowledge about God when he knows that he knows him not, inasmuch as he knows that that which is God transcends whatsoever he conceives of him. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
If forgers and other malefactors are forthwith condemned to death by the secular authorities, there is much more reason for heretics, as soon as they are convicted of heresy, to be not only excommunicated but even put to death. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
Perfect happiness can consist in nothing else than the vision of the Divine Essence. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
Now what has been said about the Jews is also to be understood about Cahorsins, and anyone else depending upon the depravity of usury. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
Truth is the ultimate end of the whole universe. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
The reason, however, why the philosopher may be likened to the poet is this: both are concerned with the marvellous. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
It is necessary to posit something which is necessary of itself, and has no cause of its necessity outside of itself but is the cause of necessity in other things. And all people call this thing God. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
God should not be called an individual substance, since the principal of individuation is matter. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
All that is true, by whomsoever it has been said has its origin in the Spirit. (Thomas Aquinas)
Good can exist without evil, whereas evil cannot exist without good. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
A man has free choice to the extent that he is rational. View quote
Thomas Aquinas
If, then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ, because He Himself is the way. View quote
Thomas Aquinas