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.
Thomas AquinasRead
The highest manifestation of life consists in this: that a being governs its own actions. A thing which is always subject to the direction of another is somewhat of a dead thing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True life is about self-governance and autonomy; dependence on others signifies a lack of vitality.
In this quote, Thomas Aquinas emphasizes the importance of self-governance as the essence of a fully realized life. He suggests that the ability to control one's own actions is what differentiates a living being from something that is merely existing under the influence of others, which he equates to a form of death or lack of true life.
Themes
Self-GovernanceAutonomyLifeExistencePhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about pursuing personal goals.
More from Thomas Aquinas
All quotes →Law is nothing other than a certain ordinance of reason for the common good, promulgated by the person who has the care of the community.
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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.
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A song is the exultation of the mind dwelling on eternal things, bursting forth in the voice.
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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.
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To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.
Thomas AquinasRead
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