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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Understanding belief, desire, and action is essential for personal salvation.
Thomas Aquinas emphasizes that salvation for humanity hinges on three critical elements: the understanding of beliefs, the cultivation of desires, and the identification of right actions. These aspects help guide an individual toward a meaningful and virtuous life, where knowledge and moral clarity lead to fulfilling one's purpose and achieving a higher state of existence.
Themes
SalvationBeliefDesireActionKnowledgePurpose
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about personal growth, one might quote Aquinas to illustrate the importance of moral understanding.
More from Thomas Aquinas
All quotes βLaw 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.
Thomas AquinasRead
A song is the exultation of the mind dwelling on eternal things, bursting forth in the voice.
Thomas AquinasRead
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.
Thomas AquinasRead
To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.
Thomas AquinasRead
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