Many / One

A database of 11,000+ illuminated guiding quotations in 40 categories from 600+ inspired books by our most brilliant and influential authors.
Compiled by JoAnn Kite

SHOW detailed search and navigation | Quotes | References | JoAnn

1		"There is nothing that the human mind cannot understand potentially. It is capable of knowing all things. The greatness of the human person consists in this: that it is capable of the universe (capax universi)….capable of grasping the whole of being. We are also capable of embracing the whole of being." Thomas Aquinas, CG III

2		"The perfection of any one thing considered in isolation is an imperfection, for one thing is merely one part of the entire integrity of the universe arising from the assembling together of many singular perfections." Thomas Aquinas, DV, q. 2, a. 2

3		"Virtue is a kind of spiritual path that assures a life of quality and purpose."

4		"Our capacity to birth – including the birthing of virtue – derives from the very Creator and artist of all things, including the human being." Matthew Fox

5		"God deliberately brings about multitude and distinction in order that the divine goodness may be brought forth and shared in many measures. There is beauty in the very diversity." Thomas Aquinas, CT 1, 102

6		"All things are subject to divine providence, not only in general, but even in their own individual selves." Thomas Aquinas, ST I, q. 22, a. 2

7		"I myself find it helpful to compare the field aspect of physical reality to the Logos, the Word, the formative principle. The energy aspect of reality, with energy as the principle of flow, change, and activity, is like an aspect of the Spirit. Both come from and relate back to a unifying source." Rupert Sheldrake

8		"There is no existing thing that does not have some virtue….The effects of the unfailing virtue of God proceed both to human beings and to animals, and to plants and to all natural things." Thomas Aquinas, 'Commentary on Dionysius's Divine Names', n. 751, 755

9		"The Scriptures say, 'of God, and by God, and in God are all things. (Romans 11:36). God embraces in the divine self all creatures. God holds all things in Godself and not successively according to time nor divided into parts, but together. Indeed, the Godhead contains all things….All things are in God." Thomas Aquinas

10		"Creativity is something we are all ultimately responsible for. It comes from inside us in a unique way." Matthew Fox

11		"Human virtue is a participation in the divine power." Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica II-II, q. 129, a. 1

12		"Compassion is the fulfillment of justice, not its abolition." Thomas Aquinas, 'Summa Theologica', I, q. 21, a. 3, ad 2

13		"All things – not only those that have knowledge, but also those without….All things are destined and directed by God to good, and this is done in such a way that in each one is a principle by which it tends of itself to good as if seeking good itself, as if reaching for it of its own accord. For this reason it is said in the Book of Wisdom (8:1) that divine wisdom 'orders all things sweetly' because each one by its own motion tends to that for which it has been divinely destined." Thomas Aquinas, 'On Truth', q. 22, a. 1

14		"Every being in its essence is good and participates in the divine goodness

15		"Light is given to the sun not to shine alone on itself but also on the whole earth. So too, God wills that all our gifts of wealth, power, knowledge should benefit others." Thomas Aquinas, In 2 Cor, ch. 1, p. 301

16		"In the making of the very least creature there is manifested the infinite power, wisdom, and goodness of God." Thomas Aquinas, In III Sent 1.3, ad 3

17		"Because we all share one Creator, we are all brothers and sisters." Matthew Fox

18		"Prophetic words are many in and of themselves, but they are one in their origin." Thomas Aquinas, In Jer 1, p. 579

19		"God acts in all things from within….God works at the heart of all activity." Thomas Aquinas, ST I, q. 105, a. 5

20		"Justice preserves the whole universe." Matthew Fox

21		"Every single creature leads to the knowledge of the first and highest One, which is infinite in every perfection." Thomas Aquinas, 'Commentary on Peter Lombard's Book of Sentences', III Sent. 1.3, ad 3

22		"Justice demands that the many have necessities before the few have luxuries." Matthew Fox

23		"The Son of God assumed flesh and came into the world to illumine all human beings with grace and truth." Thomas Aquinas, In Jn 1. 5, n. 104

24		"The principal inclination of each part is toward common action conducive to the good of the whole." Thomas Aquinas, 'Summa Theologica', q. 26, a. 3

25		"Love, according to its very nature, causes peace." Thomas Aquinas, ST II-II, q. 29, a. 3, ad 3