Quotes from Saint Thomas Aquinas

One cannot use an evil action with reference to a good intention.

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.

Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures.

Just as it is better to illuminate than merely to shine, so to pass on what one has contemplated is better than merely to contemplate.

The reason, however, why the philosopher may be likened to the poet is this: both are concerned with the marvellous.

The most hopeful people in the world are the young and the drunk. The first because they have little experience of failure, and the second because they have succeeded in drowning theirs.

Sure, for all our blindness; secure, for all our helplessness; strong, for all our weakness; gaily in love, for all the pressures on our hearts.

Music is the exaltation of the mind derived from things eternal, bursting forth in sound.

Down in adoration falling,Lo! the sacred Host we hail;Lo! o'er ancient forms departing,Newer rites of grace prevail;Faith for all defects supplying,Where the feeble senses fail.

Concerning perfect blessedness which consists in a vision of God.

Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory,Of His Flesh the mystery sing;Of the Blood, all price exceeding,Shed by our immortal King.

Thus Angels' Bread is madeThe Bread of man today:The Living Bread from HeavenWith figures doth away:O wondrous gift indeed!The poor and lowly mayUpon their Lord and Master feed.

Lord Jesu, blessed Pelican.

O saving Victim, opening wideThe gate of heaven to man below,Our foes press on from every side,Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.

Because of the diverse conditions of humans, it happens that some acts are virtuous to some people, as appropriate and suitable to them, while the same acts are immoral for others, as inappropriate to them.

He who is dying of hunger must be fed rather than taught.

Justice is a certain rectitude of mind whereby a man does what he ought to do in circumstances confronting him.

Perfection of moral virtue does not wholly take away the passions, but regulates them.

We are like children, who stand in need of masters to enlighten us and direct us and God has provided for this, by appointing his angels to be our teachers and guides.

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

Rarely affirm, seldom deny, always distinguish.

To love is to will the good of the other.

Man cannot live without joy. That is why one deprived of spiritual joys goes over to carnal pleasures.

The science of mathematics treats its object as though it were something abstracted mentally, whereas it is not abstract in reality.