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Summa Theologica

Fathers of the English Dominican Province (Shapcote)
Public domain
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1274
“And this is done by Divine power in this sacrament; for the whole substance of the bread is changed into the whole substance of Christ's body, and the whole substance of the wine into the whole substance of Christ's blood. Hence this is not a formal, but a substantial conversion; nor is it a kind of natural movement: but, with a name of its own, it can be called "transubstantiation."”
Summa Theologica III, q. 75, a. 4 Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1270
“Justification taken passively implies a movement towards justice, as heating implies a movement towards heat… justification implies a transmutation from the state of injustice to the aforesaid state of justice. And it is thus we are now speaking of the justification of the ungodly.”
Summa Theologica I-II, q. 113, a. 1 Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1270
“A sacrament, properly speaking, is that which is ordained to signify our sanctification.”
Summa Theologica III, q. 60, a. 3 Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1274
“The third way is taken from possibility and necessity, and runs thus. We find in nature things that are possible to be and not to be, since they are found to be generated, and to corrupt, and consequently, they are possible to be and not to be. But it is impossible for these always to exist, for that which is possible not to be at some time is not. Therefore, if everything is possible not to be, then at one time there could have been nothing in existence. Now if this were true, even now there would be nothing in existence, because that which does not exist only begins to exist by something already existing. Therefore, if at one time nothing was in existence, it would have been impossible for anything to have begun to exist; and thus even now nothing would be in existence—which is absurd. Therefore, not all beings are merely possible, but there must exist something the existence of which is necessary. But every necessary thing either has its necessity caused by another, or not. Now it is impossible to go on to infinity in necessary things which have their necessity caused by another, as has been already proved in regard to efficient causes. Therefore we cannot but postulate the existence of some being having of itself its own necessity, and not receiving it from another, but rather causing in others their necessity. This all men speak of as God.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 2, a. 3 — the Third Way Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1274
“Perhaps not everyone who hears this word "God" understands it to signify something than which nothing greater can be thought, seeing that some have believed God to be a body. Yet, granted that everyone understands that by this word "God" is signified something than which nothing greater can be thought, nevertheless, it does not therefore follow that he understands that what the word signifies exists actually, but only that it exists mentally.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 2, a. 1, reply to obj. 2 Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1274
“The first and more manifest way is the argument from motion. It is certain, and evident to our senses, that in the world some things are in motion. Now whatever is in motion is put in motion by another, for nothing can be in motion except it is in potentiality to that towards which it is in motion; whereas a thing moves inasmuch as it is in act. For motion is nothing else than the reduction of something from potentiality to actuality. But nothing can be reduced from potentiality to actuality, except by something in a state of actuality. Thus that which is actually hot, as fire, makes wood, which is potentially hot, to be actually hot, and thereby moves and changes it. Now it is not possible that the same thing should be at once in actuality and potentiality in the same respect, but only in different respects. For what is actually hot cannot simultaneously be potentially hot; but it is simultaneously potentially cold. It is therefore impossible that in the same respect and in the same way a thing should be both mover and moved, i.e. that it should move itself. Therefore, whatever is in motion must be put in motion by another. If that by which it is put in motion be itself put in motion, then this also must needs be put in motion by another, and that by another again. But this cannot go on to infinity, because then there would be no first mover, and, consequently, no other mover; seeing that subsequent movers move only inasmuch as they are put in motion by the first mover; as the staff moves only because it is put in motion by the hand. Therefore it is necessary to arrive at a first mover, put in motion by no other; and this everyone understands to be God.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 2, a. 3 — the First Way Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1274
“The fifth way is taken from the governance of the world. We see that things which lack intelligence, such as natural bodies, act for an end, and this is evident from their acting always, or nearly always, in the same way, so as to obtain the best result. Hence it is plain that not fortuitously, but designedly, do they achieve their end. Now whatever lacks intelligence cannot move towards an end, unless it be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence; as the arrow is shot to its mark by the archer. Therefore some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 2, a. 3 — the Fifth Way Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1274
“God alone is good essentially. For everything is called good according to its perfection … This triple perfection belongs to no creature by its own essence; it belongs to God only, in Whom alone essence is existence … Hence it is manifest that God alone has every kind of perfection by His own essence; therefore He Himself alone is good essentially.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 6, a. 3 — that God is good by His own essence (a reply to the Euthyphro dilemma) Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1268
“The first and more manifest way is the argument from motion … whatever is in motion is put in motion by another, for nothing can be in motion except it is in potentiality to that towards which it is in motion; whereas a thing moves inasmuch as it is in act … Therefore it is necessary to arrive at a first mover, put in motion by no other; and this everyone understands to be God.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 2, a. 3 — the First Way (from motion) Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1268
“The second way is from the nature of the efficient cause. In the world of sense we find there is an order of efficient causes. There is no case known (neither is it, indeed, possible) in which a thing is found to be the efficient cause of itself … Therefore it is necessary to admit a first efficient cause, to which everyone gives the name of God.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 2, a. 3 — the Second Way (from efficient cause) Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1268
“The third way is taken from possibility and necessity … if everything is possible not to be, then at one time there could have been nothing in existence … Therefore we cannot but postulate the existence of some being having of itself its own necessity, and not receiving it from another, but rather causing in others their necessity. This all men speak of as God.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 2, a. 3 — the Third Way (from possibility and necessity) Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1268
“The fourth way is taken from the gradation to be found in things. Among beings there are some more and some less good, true, noble and the like … Now the maximum in any genus is the cause of all in that genus; as fire, which is the maximum heat, is the cause of all hot things. Therefore there must also be something which is to all beings the cause of their being, goodness, and every other perfection; and this we call God.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 2, a. 3 — the Fourth Way (from gradation) Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1268
“The fifth way is taken from the governance of the world. We see that things which lack intelligence, such as natural bodies, act for an end … whatever lacks intelligence cannot move towards an end, unless it be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence; as the arrow is shot to its mark by the archer. Therefore some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 2, a. 3 — the Fifth Way (from the governance of the world) Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1268
“The second way is from the nature of the efficient cause. In the world of sense we find there is an order of efficient causes. There is no case known (neither is it, indeed, possible) in which a thing is found to be the efficient cause of itself; for so it would be prior to itself, which is impossible. Now in efficient causes it is not possible to go on to infinity, because in all efficient causes following in order, the first is the cause of the intermediate cause, and the intermediate is the cause of the ultimate cause, whether the intermediate cause be several, or only one. Now to take away the cause is to take away the effect. Therefore, if there be no first cause among efficient causes, there will be no ultimate, nor any intermediate cause. But if in efficient causes it is possible to go on to infinity, there will be no first efficient cause, neither will there be an ultimate effect, nor any intermediate efficient causes; all of which is plainly false. Therefore it is necessary to admit a first efficient cause, to which everyone gives the name of God.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 2, a. 3 — the Second Way (from efficient cause) Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1268
“It is superfluous to suppose that what can be accounted for by a few principles has been produced by many. But it seems that everything we see in the world can be accounted for by other principles, supposing God did not exist. For all natural things can be reduced to one principle which is nature; and all voluntary things can be reduced to one principle which is human reason, or will. Therefore there is no need to suppose God's existence.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 2, a. 3, obj. 2 — the objection that God is superfluous Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1268
“Since nature works for a determinate end under the direction of a higher agent, whatever is done by nature must needs be traced back to God, as to its first cause. So also whatever is done voluntarily must also be traced back to some higher cause other than human reason or will, since these can change or fail; for all things that are changeable and capable of defect must be traced back to an immovable and self-necessary first principle.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 2, a. 3, reply to obj. 2 — the reply that nature is traced back to God Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1268
“The fourth way is taken from the gradation to be found in things. Among beings there are some more and some less good, true, noble and the like. But _more_ and _less_ are predicated of different things, according as they resemble in their different ways something which is the maximum, as a thing is said to be hotter according as it more nearly resembles that which is hottest; so that there is something which is truest, something best, something noblest and, consequently, something which is uttermost being; for those things that are greatest in truth are greatest in being, as it is written in _Metaph._ ii. Now the maximum in any genus is the cause of all in that genus; as fire, which is the maximum heat, is the cause of all hot things. Therefore there must also be something which is to all beings the cause of their being, goodness, and every other perfection; and this we call God.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 2, a. 3 — the Fourth Way (from gradation) Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1268
“God alone is good essentially. For everything is called good according to its perfection … This triple perfection belongs to no creature by its own essence; it belongs to God only, in Whom alone essence is existence … Hence it is manifest that God alone has every kind of perfection by His own essence; therefore He Himself alone is good essentially.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 6, a. 3 — that the maximum of goodness is God's own essence Source
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274 1268
“By faith alone do we hold, and by no demonstration can it be proved, that the world did not always exist … Hence that the world began to exist is an object of faith, but not of demonstration or science. And it is useful to consider this, lest anyone, presuming to demonstrate what is of faith, should bring forward reasons that are not cogent, so as to give occasion to unbelievers to laugh, thinking that on such grounds we believe things that are of faith.”
Summa Theologica I, q. 46, a. 2 — that the world's beginning is held by faith, not demonstration Source