Now this relaxation of the mind from work consists on playful words or deeds. Therefore it becomes a wise and virtuous man to have recourse to such things at times.

Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally...

Hold firmly that our faith is identical with that of the ancients. Deny this, and you dissolve the unity of the Church.

How is it they live in such harmony the billions of stars – when most men can barely go a minute without declaring war in their minds about someone they know.

Beware the man of a single book.

By nature all men are equal in liberty, but not in other endowments.

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.

Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.

It is necessary to posit something which is necessary of itself, and has no cause of its necessity outside of itself but is the cause of necessity in other things. And all people call this...

Yet through virtuous living man is further ordained to a higher end, which consists in the enjoyment of God, as we have said above. Consequently, since society must have the same end as the individual...

All the efforts of the human mind cannot exhaust the essence of a single fly.

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.

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.

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

All that is true, by whomsoever it has been said has its origin in the Spirit.

Better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate.

Distinctions drawn by the mind are not necessarily equivalent to distinctions in reality.

The blessed in the kingdom of heaven will see the punishments of the damned, in order that their bliss be more delightful for them.

How can we live in harmony? First we need to know we are all madly in love with the same God.

Happiness is secured through virtue; it is a good attained by man’s own will.

To bear with patience wrongs done to oneself is a mark of perfection, but to bear with patience wrongs done to someone else is a mark of imperfection and even of actual sin.

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

The study of truth requires a considerable effort – which is why few are willing to undertake it out of love of knowledge – despite the fact that God has implanted a natural appetite for...

Three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire; and to know what he ought to do.

To live well is to work well, to show a good activity.

Nothing which implies contradiction falls under the omnipotence of God.

It is requisite for the relaxation of the mind that we make use, from time to time, of playful deeds and jokes.

Law; an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has care of the community.

We can’t have full knowledge all at once. We must start by believing; then afterwards we may be led on to master the evidence for ourselves.

Temperance is simply a disposition of the mind which binds the passion.

knowledge depends on the mode of the knower; for what is known is in the knower according to the measure of his mode

Good can exist without evil, whereas evil cannot exist without good.

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

Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may...

Beware of the person of one book.

Whatever is received is received according to the nature of the recipient.

Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, and without friends even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious.

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.

Honor is due to God and to persons of great excellence as a sign of attestation of excellence already existing; not that honor makes them excellent.