Quotes from Thomas Aquinas

Law has the power to compel: indeed, the ability to enforce is a condition of the ability to command.

God has no need for our worship. It is we who need to show our gratitude for what we have received.

God himself would not permit evil in this world if good did not come of it for the benefit and harmony of the universe.

The theologian considers sin mainly as an offence against God; the moral philosopher as contrary to reasonableness.

Because we cannot know what God is, but only what He is not, we cannot consider how He is but only how He is not.

God destines us for an end beyond the grasp of reason.

God's precepts are light to the loving, heavy to the fearful.

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

Whenever God wakes in us, our thinking becomes clear - nothing is missing.

It is a sin to regard the fact that God cannot do the impossible as a limitation on his powers.

Reason in man is rather like God in the world.

Every cell in us worships God.

Concerning perfect blessedness which consists in a vision of God.

If forgers and malefactors are put to death by the secular power, there is much more reason for excommunicating and even putting to death one convicted of heresy.

The knowledge of God is the cause of things. For the knowledge of God is to all creatures what the knowledge of the artificer is to things made by his art.

God should not be called an individual substance, since the principle of individuation is matter.

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.

The existence of a prime mover- nothing can move itself; there must be a first mover. The first mover is called God.

Theology is taught by God, teaches God, and leads to God.

To the Everlasting Father, And the Son who made us free And the Spirit, God proceeding From them Each eternally, Be salvation, honour, blessing, Might and endless majesty.

Grace renders us like God and a partaker of the divine nature.

In the end, we know God as unknown.

Any error about creation also leads to an error about God.

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