Thomas Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas

Philosopher, Theologian

Thomas Aquinas was a 13th-century philosopher and theologian known for his influential works, particularly 'Summa Theologica', which integrated faith and reason.

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Born
January 1, 1225
Died
March 7, 1274
Quotes
335
Rank
#111

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Thomas Aquinas quotes (page 16 of 17)

335 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Thomas Aquinas Philosopher, Theologian
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"Just as in a physical body the operation of one member contributes to the good of the whole body, so it is in a spiritual body such as the Church. And since all the faithful are one body, the good of one member is communicated to another; everyone members, as the Apostle says, of one another [Eph 4:25]. For that reason, among the points of faith handed down by the Apostles, is that there is a community of goods in the Church, and this is expressed in the words Communion of Saints."

Spiritual Community Faithful
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Thomas Aquinas Philosopher, Theologian
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"Whatever is in motion must be put in motion by another. If that by which it is put in motion be itself put in motion, then this also must needs be put in motion by another, and that by another again. But this cannot go on to infinity, because then there would be no first mover, and, consequently, no other mover; seeing that subsequent movers move only inasmuch as they are put in motion by the first mover; as the staff moves only because it is put in motion by the hand. Therefore it is necessary to arrive at a first mover, put in motion by no other; and this everyone understands to be God."

God Moving Hands
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Thomas Aquinas Philosopher, Theologian
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"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."

People Causes
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"If there were some solitary or feral man, the passions of the soul would be sufficient for him; by them he would be conformed to things in order that he might have knowledge of them. But because man is naturally political and social, there is need for one man to make his conceptions known to others, which is done with speech. So significant speech was needed if men were to live together. Which is why those of different tongues do not easily live together."

Communication Passion Men
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Thomas Aquinas Philosopher, Theologian
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"The custom of the Church has very great authority and ought to be jealously observed in all things."

Church Authority Jealously
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"To be united to God in unity of person was not fitting to human flesh, according to its natural endowments, since it was above his dignity; nevertheless, it was fitting that God, by reason of his infinite goodness, should unite it to himself for human salvation."

Unity Flesh Dignity
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Thomas Aquinas Philosopher, Theologian
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"It would be superfluous to receive by faith, things that can be known by natural reason"

Would Be Reason Natural
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"Now it seems that everything in the world stems from sources other than God, since the products of nature have their source in nature; deliberate effects can be traced back to human reason or will as their source. There is no need then to assume that God exists."

Religion Atheism Needs
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Thomas Aquinas Philosopher, Theologian
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"We ought to cherish the body. Our body's substance is not from an evil principle, as the Manicheans imagine, but from God. And therefore, we ought to cherish the body by the friendship of love, by which we love God."

Evil Principles Substance
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Thomas Aquinas Philosopher, Theologian
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"So, to detract from the perfection of creatures is to detract from the perfection of divine power."

Perfection Divine Power Divine
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Thomas Aquinas Philosopher, Theologian
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"I receive Thee ransom of my soul. For love of Thee have I studied and kept vigil toiled preached and taught."

Soul Ransom Taught
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Thomas Aquinas Philosopher, Theologian
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"The Angel's bread is made the Bread of man today."

Angel Men Today
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"...[sacred] doctrine is especially based upon arguments from authority, inasmuch as its principles are obtained by revelation: thus we ought to believe on the authority of those to whom the revelation has been made. Nor does this take away from the dignity of this doctrine, for although the argument from authority based on human reason is the weakest, yet the argument from authority based on divine revelation is the strongest."

Christian Believe Doe
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Thomas Aquinas Philosopher, Theologian
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"He suddenly announced that he could not write any more since "All that I have written seems like straw to me.""

Writing Straws Written
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"In questions of this sort there are two things to be observed. First, that the truth of the Scriptures be inviolably maintained. Secondly, since Scripture doth admit of diverse interpretations, that no one cling to any particular exposition with such pertinacity that, if what he supposed to be the teaching of Scripture should afterward turn out to be clearly false, he should nevertheless still presume to put it forward, lest thereby the sacred Scriptures should be exposed to the derision of unbelievers and the way of salvation should be closed to them."

Teaching Two Sacred Scripture
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Thomas Aquinas Philosopher, Theologian
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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."

Perfect Grades All Things
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"It is unlawful to add anything to the words of Holy Scripture regarding the sense."

Catholic Add Scripture
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"It is possible to demonstrate God's existence, although not a priori, yet a posteriori from some work of His more surely known to us."

Powerful Existence Known
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"A man should remind himself that an object of faith is not scientifically demonstrable, lest presuming to demonstrate what is of faith, he should produce inconclusive reasons and offer occasion for unbelievers to scoff at a faith based on such ground."

Faith Men Reason
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