Author Topic: Looking for a quote about St Thomas Aquinas (Read 728 times)

NaomhAdhamhnan · « **on:** May 29, 2012, 03:09:16 PM »

I am nearly certain I saw this quote or something very similar about St Thomas Aquinas once:

"To truly know/love God, you must first understand St Thomas"

I think a Pope said it, but I cannot find it online anywhere. Anyone ever see something similar before?

theology101 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 29, 2012, 10:29:46 PM »

Hmm never heard it. I would assume the person was referring to the Summa- pretty much the Catechism of the ages.

NaomhAdhamhnan · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2012, 03:35:42 AM »

Thanks Theology101, it could have been my imagination

Lybus · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2012, 09:07:33 AM »

Well, I think the quote is certainly not a bad one, whether it is fiction or not. The Philosophy of Saint Thomas is really a summary of human nature as it is and its relation to God. Children don't need to read Saint Thomas to be Thomists by instinct. Most of us adults, on the other hand, who have picked up the ways of the world....

Capt McQuigg · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2012, 01:10:46 PM »

While I think to know St. Thomas and to be familiar with his writings, I think the quote is a bad one. It implies that love of God isn't possible without knowledge of Thomas, whereas, turning the phrase on it's head and saying "To know St Thomas would be to have someone as your guide in loving God." would be acceptable.

Here's a quote I just made up on the spot: "To know and love God, one must love the Blessed Virgin Mary".

Capt McQuigg · « **Reply #5 on:** June 02, 2012, 10:35:58 PM »

I found your quote.

It's in Pope Piux XI's "Studiorem Ducem":

"The aim of the whole theology of St. Thoms is to bring us into close living intimacy with God."

NaomhAdhamhnan · « **Reply #6 on:** June 04, 2012, 01:38:18 PM »

Spectacular Capt McQuigg!

Ad mejorem Dei gloriam!!