Thomas Aquinas, born in 1225 in Roccasecca, Italy, was a prominent philosopher, theologian, and Dominican friar. His career highlights include authoring influential works like the “Summa Theologica,” which synthesized Christian doctrine with Aristotelian philosophy, and his contributions to scholasticism. Canonized as a saint in 1323, Aquinas’s ideas have shaped Western thought for centuries. The quotes featured here are sourced from his books and writings, such as “Summa Theologica” and other theological texts, focusing on themes of life, purpose, and human existence. This list presents 15 insightful quotes by Thomas Aquinas about life, offering wisdom that remains relevant today.
15 Thomas Aquinas Quotes
1. “The end of human life is happiness, which is only to be found in God.” (Book, “Summa Theologica,” 1265–1274)
2. “Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures.” (Book, “Summa Theologica,” 1265–1274)
3. “To live well is nothing other than to love God with all one’s heart, with all one’s soul, and with all one’s efforts.” (Book, “Summa Theologica,” 1265–1274)
4. “The soul is in the body as the pilot in a ship; it is in command and the body obeys.” (Book, “Summa Theologica,” 1265–1274)
5. “Fear is such a powerful emotion for humans that when we allow it to take us over, it drives all other thoughts from our minds.” (Book, “Summa Contra Gentiles,” 1259–1265)
6. “Happiness is the attainment of the perfect good, which perfects the appetite of every man.” (Book, “Summa Theologica,” 1265–1274)
7. “Man has free choice, or otherwise counsels, exhortations, commands, prohibitions, rewards and punishments would be in vain.” (Book, “Summa Theologica,” 1265–1274)
8. “The things that we love tell us what we are.” (Book, “Summa Theologica,” 1265–1274)
9. “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain.” (Attributed, various writings, n.d.)
10. “Virtue makes the soul capable of living in conformity with reason.” (Book, “Summa Theologica,” 1265–1274)
11. “The ultimate happiness of man consists in the contemplation of truth.” (Book, “Summa Contra Gentiles,” 1259–1265)
12. “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” (Attributed, theological writings, n.d.)
13. “Man should not consider his outward appearance more than his inner disposition.” (Book, “Summa Theologica,” 1265–1274)
14. “The purpose of human life is to know, to love, and to serve God.” (Book, “Summa Theologica,” 1265–1274)
15. “In the absence of faith, all other virtues are dead.” (Book, “Summa Theologica,” 1265–1274)
These quotes from Thomas Aquinas illuminate his profound understanding of life’s core elements, stressing the importance of faith, virtue, and the pursuit of divine truth in achieving fulfillment. They reflect a thinker whose medieval wisdom still resonates, encouraging introspection on our own lives. What insights did you gain from these quotes? Share your thoughts and engage in the comments below.