Aquinas Quotes: Medieval Truths for the Modern World

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

Assessing a life situation or making an important decision, almost any person finds the key in simple and understandable sayings that seem to be written specifically for the twenty-first century with all its commodity-money transactions and the complexities of interpersonal relationships. And how surprising it is sometimes to learn that simple wisdom came to the modern world from the distant feudal Middle Ages, where there were completely different concerns, mores and aspirations. The greatest philosopher-theologian Thomas Aquinas systematized true knowledge, which, fortunately, has not lost its relevance even today.

Brief biography of Thomas Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas is one of the great philosophers of the Middle Ages. The scientist was born in 1225 in the Italian Roccasek. His father was a count, so Thomas was assigned to be brought up in the well-known monastic school of Monte Cassino. At 22, Thomas Aquinas joined the Dominican Order of Preachers, which converts heretics to Roman Catholicism.

The philosopher sought to continue his studies in Paris, but the attempt was thwarted by the brothers, who imprisoned Thomas in the castle. He later managed to escape. Living first in Cologne and then in Paris,Thomas Aquinas begins to teach scholasticism - a trend in philosophy in which religious faith in anything is supported by reasonable judgments. Thomas Aquinas had an influence on medieval views, his main advantage was the ability to systematize scholasticism, to "make a mosaic" of faith and reason.

The works of Aquinas so echo the papal immunity and steadfastness that they are studied to this day in the universities of European countries. The philosopher answers almost all questions of the essence of being, religion, power, money. Systematizes Thomas Aquinas quotes on an encyclopedic scale.

Sum Theology

One of the most significant and fundamental works of Thomas Aquinas is "The Sum of Theology". The book was written between 1266 and 1274. Aquinas saw the point of simplifying and ridding his work of philosophical reflections, making the essay accessible to understanding.

It consists of three parts, each of which contains thousands of arguments in the form of quotes. The first part deals with the question and argument of the essence of the subject, purpose and method of research. Further, we are talking about God, his trinity and providence.

Here there are chapters on the nature of man, his place in the universe. The theme of the unity of soul and body, abilities is highlighted. The second part of the works is devoted to morality and ethics. Aquinas did not have time to finish the third part. In 1274, the philosopher died, presumably from poisoning. The work was completed by his friend and secretary Reginaldo of Piperno. It tells about Jesus and hisincarnations.

The work of the philosopher contains 38 treatises and more than 10 thousand arguments to 612 questions. The "sum of theology" in the quotes of Thomas Aquinas systematizes the concepts of faith and reason, each of which is original, and together knowledge through faith and reason leads to harmony, and ultimately to God.

Aquinas' most famous quotes

All his thoughts and speculations concluded Thomas Aquinas in quotes. Some of them have become relevant and are broadcast as the most significant life postulates to this day:

• What you want tomorrow, get today.
• The soul is the essence of the body.
• We cannot offend God except for our own good.
• Rulers need wise men much more than wise men need rulers.
• Who can be considered smart? Someone who strives only for an achievable goal.
• We should truly love someone for their own good, not ours.