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.
Thomas AquinasRead
All the efforts of the human mind cannot exhaust the essence of a single fly.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Human understanding is limited and cannot fully comprehend the complexity of even the simplest forms of life.
This quote by Thomas Aquinas highlights the profound intricacy and depth of nature, suggesting that no matter how much we strive to analyze and understand the world around us, including even a single fly, its essence remains unfathomable. It serves as a reminder of the limitations of human knowledge and the vastness of creation that eludes our grasp, encouraging humility in our pursuit of understanding life.
Themes
ComplexityExistenceUnderstandingHumilityNature
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on biology, the professor emphasized the quote to illustrate the complexity of ecosystems.
More from Thomas Aquinas
All quotes βLaw is nothing other than a certain ordinance of reason for the common good, promulgated by the person who has the care of the community.
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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.
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A song is the exultation of the mind dwelling on eternal things, bursting forth in the voice.
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We are like children, who stand in need of masters to enlighten us and direct us; God has provided for this, by appointing his angels to be our teachers and guides.
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To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.
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