In a false person, sacraments do not produce any effect.
For just as the first general precepts of the law of nature are self-evident to one in possession of natural reason, and have no need of promulgation, so also that of believing in God is primary and self-evident to one who has faith: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is.
Man is closer to God according to his existence in grace than he is according to his existence in nature.
Sing, my tongue, the Saviour’s glory, Of His Flesh, the mystery sing; Of the Blood, all price exceeding, Shed by our Immortal King, Destined, for the world’s redemption, From a noble Womb to spring.
There is, therefore, a more perfect intellectual life in the angels. In them the intellect does not proceed to self-knowledge from anything exterior, but knows itself through itself...
God has need for our worship. It is we who need to show our gratitude for what we have received.
To teach in order to lead others to faith is the task of every preacher and of each believer.
Theology is taught by God, teaches God, and leads to God.
To restore man, who had been laid low by sin, to the heights of divine glory, the Word of the eternal Father, though containing all things within His immensity, willed to become small. This He did not by putting aside His greatness but by taking to Himself our littleness.
A man should remind himself that an object of faith is not scientifically demonstrable, lest presuming to demonstrate what is of faith, he should produce inconclusive reasons and offer occasion for unbelievers to scoff at a faith based on such ground.
One cannot use an evil action with reference to a good intention.
Better to illuminate, than merely to shine.
Not everything that is more difficult is more meritorious.
I cannot understand how anyone conscious of mortal sin can laugh or be merry.
It is only God who creates. Man merely rearranges.
It is not possible to be ignorant of the end of things if we know their beginning.
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.
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 thing God.
God himself would not permit evil in this world if good did not come of it for the benefit and harmony of the universe.
He who achieves power by violence does not truly become lord or master.
You change people by delight, by pleasure.