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
Three conditions are necessary for Penance: contrition, which is sorrow for sin, together with a purpose of amendment; confession of sins without any omission; and satisfaction by means of good works.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Penance involves feeling sorrow for sins, confessing them completely, and committing to making amends through good actions.
Thomas Aquinas outlines the essential elements required for genuine penance: feeling true remorse for one's wrongdoings, openly confessing all sins without holding back, and making a commitment to rectify those mistakes through good deeds. This framework emphasizes the importance of sincerity and proactive effort in seeking forgiveness and personal growth.
Themes
PenanceContritionConfessionGood WorksSorrowAmendment
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about moral responsibility, one might reference this quote to emphasize the importance of addressing one's wrongdoings.
More from Thomas Aquinas
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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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