Author Topic: Thomas Aquinas quote (Read 1500 times)

Lybus · « **on:** September 25, 2009, 02:37:48 PM »

Thomas Aquinas, "I can do no more... such secrets have been revealed to me that all I have written now appears to be of little value."

This is what he said sometime after December 6th 1273, when asked why he had discontinued his writing. What do you suppose it means?

Vladimir · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2009, 02:44:28 PM »

Quote from: Lybus

Thomas Aquinas, "I can do no more... such secrets have been revealed to me that all I have written now appears to be of little value."

This is what he said sometime after December 6th 1273, when asked why he had discontinued his writing. What do you suppose it means?

The saecular explanation is that he had a stroke and was unable to continue writing, but tradition I think says that he was given a Divine Revelation. You see, even the best and brightest minds of this world can only comprehend so much with man's limited intellect. I think that after this revelation, he realised that his magnum opus the Summa Theologica was akin to a child's attempt at explaining something of which he had really no knowledge.

Lybus · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2009, 02:53:44 PM »

That was my thinking as well. It seems, though, that this quote can very easily be taken to mean something very different, like perhaps that what he wrote about was completely wrong and false, and therefore of little value. But still, the church recognizes him as one of the greatest theologians, so the fact that he says that is very perplexing. Are we REALLY that insignificant? Are we REALLY that ignorant? It is mind bogging in its own right; for when the immortal name of Thomas Aquinas is rendered to being equivelant to a child, it is very humbling indeed.

Vladimir · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2009, 04:03:29 PM »

Its like looking at a tapestry from the back and trying to critique it, and then going over and seeing it from the front.

gladius_veritatis · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2009, 04:07:57 PM »

He may very well have been vouchsafed a glimpse of God "in the face", as has happened to at least a few wayfarers as far as we know. After such a vision, all would appear as it is: 'worthless dung' by comparison.

Lybus · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2009, 05:31:43 PM »

Quote from: Vladimir

Its like looking at a tapestry from the back and trying to critique it, and then going over and seeing it from the front.

That's a good analogy.

If all he saw was His face, and it rendered his own work meaningless in his eyes, then it must have been quite hte vision indeed.

CM · « **Reply #6 on:** September 26, 2009, 02:10:19 AM »

Not to be a stickler, but he could not have seen God's face, or he would have been bodily destroyed.

gladius_veritatis · « **Reply #7 on:** September 26, 2009, 07:59:23 AM »

Quote from: Catholic Martyr

Not to be a stickler, but he could not have seen God's face, or he would have been bodily destroyed.

This is true, unless God assisted him. Some Saints HAVE been vouchsafed a glimpse of the Beatific Vision. Our Lady likely saw It many times while still in via.

Telesphorus · « **Reply #8 on:** September 26, 2009, 02:08:29 PM »

An ex-seminarian novus ordite guidance counselor told us that story about St. Thomas, but never mentioned the vision.

He just said St. Thomas said:

"it's all straw" and left it at that, not explaining the context.

Lybus · « **Reply #9 on:** September 27, 2009, 10:10:17 AM »

newadvent uses that quote, the one i posted.

CM · « **Reply #10 on:** September 27, 2009, 06:16:33 PM »

Quote from: gladius_veritatis

Quote from: Catholic Martyr
Not to be a stickler, but he could not have seen God's face, or he would have been bodily destroyed.

This is true, unless God assisted him. Some Saints HAVE been vouchsafed a glimpse of the Beatific Vision. Our Lady likely saw It many times while still in via.

The Blessed Virgin Mary would not have been destroyed, I believe. She had no sin.

I guess God could assist him, yes.