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
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 of a dead thing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True life is about self-governance and autonomy; dependence on others signifies a lack of vitality.
In this quote, Thomas Aquinas emphasizes the importance of self-governance as the essence of a fully realized life. He suggests that the ability to control one's own actions is what differentiates a living being from something that is merely existing under the influence of others, which he equates to a form of death or lack of true life.
Themes
Self-GovernanceAutonomyLifeExistencePhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about pursuing personal goals.
More from Thomas Aquinas
All quotes →Law 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.
Thomas AquinasRead
To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.
Thomas AquinasRead
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