Although I am not a Roman Catholic, I have gained wisdom and comfort from persons such as Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225-1274).

These are among his observations that have been of special interest and value to me.

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To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.

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

If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever.

The things that we love tell us what we are.

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

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.

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

Beware of the person of one book.

Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine.

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

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.

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

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.

A man has free choice to the extent that he is rational.

Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope with things that are not at hand.

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

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 dead.

Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.

In order for a war to be just, three things are necessary. First, the authority of the sovereign. Secondly, a just cause. Thirdly, a rightful intention.

Every judgement of conscience, be it right or wrong, be it about things evil in themselves or morally indifferent, is obligatory, in such wise that he who acts against his conscience always sins.

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