What the Theologians Say 2

Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 7 March 1274) was an Italian Dominican friar Roman Catholic priest, an influential philosopher and theologian. A great deal of modern philosophy developed from his ideas, particularly in the areas of ethics, metaphysics, and political theory. Thomas attempted to synthesize Aristotelian philosophy with the principles of Christianity. and his commentaries on Sacred Scripture and on Aristotle form an important part of his body of work. The Catholic Church considers him to be their greatest theologian and philosopher. Here are some thoughful quotes from him:

'Faith has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with things that are not in hand.'

‘Beware the man of a single book.'

'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.'

'Love follows knowledge.'

'Wonder is the desire of knowledge.'

'To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.'

'There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.'

'The soul is like an uninhabited world that comes to life only when God lays His head

against us.'

'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.'

'Better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate.'

'Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine.’

'Fear is such a powerful emotion for humans that when we allow it to take us over, it drives compassion right out of our hearts.'

'The Study of philosophy is not that we may know what men have thought, but what the truth of things is. '

'The things that we love tell us what we are.'

'We must love them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject, for both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in finding it.'

'Most men seem to live according to sense rather than reason.'

'The truth of our faith becomes a matter of ridicule among the infidels if any Catholic, not gifted with the necessary scientific learning, presents as dogma what scientific scrutiny shows to be false.'

'How is it they live in such harmony, the billions of stars, when most men can barely go a minute without declaring war in their minds?'

'I would rather feel compassion than know the meaning of it. I would hope to act with compassion without thinking of personal gain.'

'There must be must be a first mover existing above all – and this we call God.'

'Rarely affirm, seldom deny, always distinguish.'

'Obedience unites us so closely to God that it in a way transforms us into Him, so that we have no other will but His. If obedience is lacking, even prayer cannot be pleasing to God.'

'Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, and without friends even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious.'

'Man has free choice, or otherwise counsels, exhortations, commands, prohibitions, rewards and punishments would be in vain.'