Since faith rests upon infallible truth, and since the contrary of a truth can never be demonstrated, it is clear that the arguments brought against faith cannot be demonstrations but are difficulties that can be answered.
In this quotation, Aquinas addresses those who aim to oppose or argue against the existence of God. He posits that faith, by definition, is the belief in infallible truth, bolstered by God’s teachings. Aquinas then concludes that the “contrary of a truth,” or the opposite of a truth, can never be demonstrated, and as such, arguments against faith cannot be validated or proved. Rather, he suggests that these arguments are nothing more than “difficulties” that can be addressed and answered. In this way, Aquinas uses this quotation to support a sense of complete and total faith in God and his existence. He believes that faith unfailing, as is God, himself, and as such, arguments against faith cannot be validated, but must rather be discussed on an intellectual level.
Further, nothing, except sin, is contrary to an act of virtue. But war is contrary to peace. Therefore war is always a sin.
Aquinas uses this quotation to make a moral judgement about war. He explains that sin is the very opposite of virtue. It fundamentally contradicts with God’s own power and righteousness. In this way, sin is something to be actively avoided and punished. Similarly, Aquinas concludes, war is the very opposite of peace, which God actively promotes and embodies. From this, Aquinas determines that war is always a sin and can never be justified in the eyes of God. Aquinas aims to encourage his readers to promote peace, rather than war and hate, as these values do not reflect the righteousness of God and are instead a veritable sin.
God Himself is the rule and mode of virtue. Our faith is measured by divine truth, our hope by the greatness of His power and faithful affection, our charity by His goodness. His truth, power and goodness outreach any measure of reason.
In this quotation, Aquinas explores how God is the ultimate level and measure of virtue—He is all we should aspire to be. He explains that our own worth and faith is measured by the rules of virtue that have been set forth by God. Aquinas suggests that God’s word should take precedence over all reason, for His existence is the reason that we have truth and virtue. This quotation therefore captures the righteousness of God and the faith that humans must have to follow Him. Aquinas also uses this quote the remind the reader that God is all that we humans should aspire to be.
Thus the sun which possesses light perfectly, can shine by itself; whereas the moon which has the nature of light imperfectly, sheds only a borrowed light.
In this quotation, Aquinas draws a parallel between God’s power and humans’ borrowed power. He references the sun, which “possesses light perfectly” and can “shine by itself.” The sun is representative of God, himself, for he is the most powerful and most knowledgeable being of all time. Aquinas also aims to capture the fact that God is the only truly perfect being in existence. His references to possessing light perfectly reflects this perfection. Next, Aquinas compares humans to the moon. He explains that the moon captures light “imperfectly” and sheds only “borrowed light.” In this way, Aquinas uses the sun and moon to describe how God is the sun—providing us all the light and substance we could need; the very essence of perfection. Meanwhile, humans are the moon. Just as the moon cannot create its own light and must instead rely on the light that is provided by the sun, humans must also depend upon the strength and virtue and eternal power that is provided to us through God.
