Happiness Quote by Thomas Aquinas
““Many cry to the Lord that they may win riches, that they may avoid losses; they cry that their family may be established, they ask for temporal happiness, for worldly dignities; and, lastly, they cry for bodily health, which is the patrimony of the poor. For these and suchlike things many cry to the Lord; hardly one cries for the Lord Himself! How easy it is for a man to desire all manner of things from the Lord and yet not desire the Lord Himself! As though the gift could be sweeter than the Giver!””
About This Quote
Source Summa Theologica, Part I, Question 2, Article 5
People often pray for material blessings rather than a relationship with the divine, treating God as a means to an end.
In simple terms: People ask God for things, not for God himself.
Key Takeaway
Seek a deeper, personal connection with the divine.
Themes
faith
materialism
spirituality
Mood
reflective
serene
Type
spiritual
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- church counseling
- spiritual retreats
- ethical teaching
Key Concepts
theology
human desire
Questions to Reflect On
- What do you truly seek from your faith?
- How can you shift focus from wants to relationship?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on material wants can distract from true spiritual growth.
![“By the divine providence [animals] are intended for man's use... Hence it is not wrong for man to make use of them, either by killing or in any other way whatsoever.” quote by Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f48/thomas-aquinas-837_animal_by-the-divine-providence-animals-are-int_112669.jpg)
