If a thing can be done adequately by means of one, it is superfluous to do it by means of several; for we observe that nature does not employ two instruments [if] one suffices. Thomas Aquinas More Quotes by Thomas Aquinas More Quotes From Thomas Aquinas It is not possible to be ignorant of the end of things if we know their beginning. Thomas Aquinas ignorant ends science Anything done against faith or conscience is sinful. Thomas Aquinas conscience done The last end of every maker, as such, is himself, for what we make we use for our own sake; and if at any time a man make a thing for the sake of something else, it is referred to his own good, whether his use, his pleasure, or his virtue. Thomas Aquinas makers ends self Mistakes are made on two counts: an argument is either based on error or incorrectly developed. Thomas Aquinas errors mistake two Give, expecting nothing there of. Thomas Aquinas expecting giving To virginity is awarded the tribute of the highest beauty Thomas Aquinas sacraments tribute highest See to whom Jesus is drawing near, three kinds of people: to those who make peace with him, to those who are devoted to God, and to those who are kind to their neighbors. Thomas Aquinas drawing people jesus 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. Thomas Aquinas unity dignity flesh I would rather feel compassion than know the meaning of it. I would hope to act with compassion without thinking of personal gain. Thomas Aquinas gains compassion thinking For although the will cannot be inwardly moved by any creature, yet it can be moved inwardly by God. Thomas Aquinas moved creatures If someone knows from experience that daily Communion increases fervor without lessening reverence, then let him go every day. But if someone finds that reverence is lessened and devotion not much increased, then let him sometimes abstain, so as to draw near afterwards with better dispositions. Thomas Aquinas holy-eucharist saint christian Natural inclinations are present in things from God, who moves all things. So it is impossible for the natural inclinations of a species to be toward evil in itself. But there is in all perfect animals a natural inclination toward carnal union. Therefore it is impossible for carnal union to be evil in itself. Thomas Aquinas evil animal moving Whatever was in the human nature of Christ was moved at the bidding of the divine will; yet it does not follow that in Christ there was no movement of the will proper to human nature, for the good wills of other saints are moved by God's will... For although the will cannot be inwardly moved by any creature, yet it can be moved inwardly by God. Thomas Aquinas bidding saint doe It may well happen that what is in itself the more certain on account of the weakness of our intelligence, which is dazzled by the clearest objects of nature; as the owl is dazzled by the light of the sun. Hence the fact that some happen to doubt about articles of faith is not due to the uncertain nature of the truths, but to the weakness of human intelligence; yet the slenderest knowledge that may be obtained of the highest things is more desirable than the most certain knowledge obtained of lesser things. Thomas Aquinas light christian doubt Secondly, man sins against nature when he goes against his generic nature, that is to say, his animal nature. Now, it is evident that, in accord with natural order, the union of the sexes among animals is ordered towards conception. From this it follows that every sexual intercourse that cannot lead to conception is opposed to man's animal nature. Thomas Aquinas christian men sex What can be accomplished by a few principles is not effected by many. But it seems that everything we see in the world can be accounted for by other principles, supposing God did not exist. For all natural things can be reduced to one principle, which is nature, and all voluntary things can be reduced to one principle, which is human reason, or will. Therefore there is no need to suppose God's existence. Thomas Aquinas atheism principles needs It is altogether unlawful to kill oneself... Wherefore suicide is contrary to the inclination of nature, and to charity whereby every man should love himself... Life is God's gift to man, and is subject to His power, Who kills and makes to live. Hence whoever takes his own life, sins against God... for it belongs to God alone to pronounce sentence of death and life. Thomas Aquinas suicidal suicide men Wonder was the motive that led people to philosophy ... wonder is a kind of desire in knowledge. It is the cause of delight because it carries with it the hope of discovery. Thomas Aquinas philosophy science knowledge Those who are more adapted to the active life can prepare themselves for contemplation in the practice of the active life, while those who are more adapted to the contemplative life can take upon themselves the works of the active life so as to become yet. Thomas Aquinas contemplative-life contemplation practice Love works in a circle, for the beloved moves the lover by stamping a likeness, and the lover then goes out to hold the beloved inreality. Who first was the beginning now becomes the end of motion. Thomas Aquinas circles love moving
