On Prayer and The Contemplative Life Quotes

“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!”
― Thomas Aquinas, On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

“It has become the fashion to talk about Mysticism, even to pose as Mystics, and—need it be said?—those who talk the most on such subjects are those who know the least.”
― Thomas Aquinas, On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

“Religion, then, is not limited to our relation to God, but embraces, our neighbour as well.”
― Thomas Aquinas, On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

“the Apostle say: Pray without ceasing. [147] Yet can we genuflect without ceasing? Can we prostrate without ceasing? Can we lift up our hands without ceasing? How, then, does he say: Pray without ceasing? If by prayer he meant such things as these then I think we could not pray without ceasing. But there is another prayer, an interior prayer, which is without ceasing—desire. Whatever else you do, if only you desire that rest [148] you cease not to pray. If you wish to pray without ceasing then desire without ceasing. Your continual desire is your continual voice;”
― Thomas Aquinas, On Prayer and The Contemplative Life