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Thomas Aquinas Quotes
1220–1274 Italy
Saint Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225 – 7 March 1274) was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, Catholic priest, and Doctor of the Church. An immensely influential philosopher, theologian, and jurist in the tradition of scholasticism, he is also known within the latter as the Doctor Angelicus, the Doctor Communis, and the Doctor Universalis.
Italy Clergy Jurists Philosophers Theologians Also known as: Aquinas, Aquinas, Thomas, Saint Thomas Aquinas, St. Thomas, St. Thomas Aquinas, Thomas of Aquin
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The law of nature […] is nothing other than the light of the intellect planted in us by God, by which we know what should be done and what should be avoided. God gave us this light or law in creation.
On the Ten Commandments (1273)
It would be better if they [rulers] compelled the Jews to work for their living, as they do in parts of Italy, than that, living without occupation, they can grow rich only by usury (solis usuris ditentur).
On the Governance of the Jews (1263)
If foreigners were allowed to meddle with the affairs of a nation as soon as they arrived, many dangers might occur, since the foreigners not yet having the common good firmly at heart might strive for certain goals in opposition to the people.
Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory,
If … the motion of the earth were circular, it would be violent and contrary to nature, and could not be eternal, since … nothing violent is eternal.… It follows, therefore, that the earth is not moved with a circular motion.
If man of himself could in a perfect manner know all things visible and invisible, it would indeed be foolish to believe what he does not see. But our manner of knowing is so weak that no philosopher could perfectly investigate the nature of even one little fly.
On the Apostles' Creed (1273)
Thus Angels' Bread is made
When what is ordered by an authority is opposed to the object for which that authority was constituted, ... not only is there no obligation to obey the authority, but one is obliged to disobey it, as did the holy martyrs who suffered death rather than obey the impious commands of tyrants.
Prostitution in towns is like the sewer in a palace; take away the sewers and the palace becomes an impure and stinking place.
Misattributed
I fear the man of a single book.
Disputed
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