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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.
Thomas Aquinas
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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.

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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.
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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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