“The things that we love tell us what we are.”

The study of truth requires a considerable effort – which is why few are willing to undertake it out of love of knowledge – despite the fact that God has implanted a natural appetite for such knowledge in the minds of men.

He who is not angry when there is just cause for anger is immoral. Why? because anger looks to the good of justice. And if you could live amid injustice without anger, you are immoral as well as unjust.

Most men seem to live according to sense rather than reason.

Our aspect of neighborly love is that we must not merely will our neighbors good, but actually work to bring it about.

A mans heart is right when he wills that god wills.

Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, and without friends even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious.

The Study of philosophy is not that we may know what men have thought, but what the truth of things is.

There must be must be a first mover existing above all – and this we call God.

Three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire; and to know what he ought to do.

I would rather feel compassion than know the meaning of it. I would hope to act with compassion without thinking of personal gain.

Wonder is the desire of knowledge.

To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.

To pretend angels do not exist because they are invisible is to believe we never sleep because we don’t see ourselves sleeping.

We set forth our petitions before god, not in order to make known to him our needs and desires, but rather so that we ourselves may realize that in the things it is necessary to turn to god for help.

Because philosophy arises from awe, a philosopher is bound in his way to be a lover of myths and poetic fables. Poets and philosophers are alike in being big with wonder.

Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen