--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whatever is in motion must be put in…" description: "\"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 ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/350/thomas-aquinas-837_firsts_whatever-is-in-motion-must-be-put-in-mot_1214484.jpg" --- # Whatever is in motion must be put in motion by another. If… ![“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…” quote by Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/350/thomas-aquinas-837_firsts_whatever-is-in-motion-must-be-put-in-mot_1214484.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/350/thomas-aquinas-837_firsts_whatever-is-in-motion-must-be-put-in-mot_1214484.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/350/thomas-aquinas-837_firsts_whatever-is-in-motion-must-be-put-in-mot_1214484.jpg) > “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.” [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The argument asserts that an infinite regress of movers is impossible, necessitating a first unmoved mover, identified as God. **In simple terms:** There must be a first cause that itself is not caused. Key Takeaway Recognize a foundational source behind all motion. Themes theology philosophy causality Mood contemplative inquisitive Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - cosmology - ethical reasoning - spiritual reflection Key Concepts first cause metaphysics Questions to Reflect On - What evidence supports a first mover? - How does this view align with contemporary cosmology? A Different Perspective Modern science may offer alternative explanations for origins. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Infinity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infinity/) [Motion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motion/) ## Related quotes > [“Imagine the difference this could make with not setting into motion what needs to remain still.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysa-terkeurst/imagine-the-difference-this-could-make-with-not-setting-into-motion/) [Lysa TerKeurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysa-terkeurst/) > [A man of action is always in motion, changing, moving, failing, learning, shining…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-mamerto/a-man-of-action-is-always-in-motion-changing-moving-failing-learning/) [Edwin Mamerto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-mamerto/) > [“It’s the nature of human experience, which is always in some form of motion, to veer off course—sometimes in major, but consistently in minor,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-allen/it-s-the-nature-of-human-experience-which-is-always-in-some-form-of/) [David Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-allen/) > [Even if you can't do a full real push-up, I'd rather have you do them with a limited range of motion and work up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunnar-peterson/even-if-you-can-t-do-a-full-real-push-up-i-d-rather-have-you-do-them/) [Gunnar Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunnar-peterson/) > [My role is to set everything in motion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-rollins/my-role-is-to-set-everything-in-motion/) [Jimmy Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-rollins/) > [Ordinary photons do have spin, they have a notion of helicity so they spin around their direction on motion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-penrose/ordinary-photons-do-have-spin-they-have-a-notion-of-helicity-so-they/) [Roger Penrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-penrose/) > [You own a watch the invention of the mind, though for a single motion 'tis designed, as well as that which is with greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-blackmore/you-own-a-watch-the-invention-of-the-mind-though-for-a-single-motion/) Richard Blackmore > [“Gamboling is happiness in motion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-jarvis-ellison/gamboling-is-happiness-in-motion/) Joan Jarvis Ellison > [I guess bowling is pretty mechanical. 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