St. Thomas Aquinas: Redemption of Penniless
on Saturday, September 1, 2012Thomas Aquinas Money Quote Exhorting the rich to spend their excesses helping the poor withstand the difficulty of poverty. Thomas Aquinas said:
“The bread which you withhold belongs to the hungry: the clothing you shut away, to the naked: and the money you bury in the earth is the redemption and freedom of the penniless” — Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, II-II, Q 66 A 7
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The quote “The bread which you withhold belongs to the hungry: the clothing you shut away, to the naked: and the money you bury in the earth is the redemption and freedom of the penniless” by Thomas Aquinas is emphasizing our moral duty to help those in need.
It means that when others are starving or lack basic necessities while we hoard extra food, clothing or money that we do not truly need, we are withholding resources that rightfully belong to the disadvantaged and could improve their lives.
By sharing what we have with the less fortunate, especially resources we are not using, we “redeem” or rescue those living in poverty from their difficult circumstances and help set them on a path toward greater “freedom” or well-being.
The quote conveys that we should not be misers with our excess when it could directly alleviate the suffering of people who lack life’s basic necessities due to no fault of their own. It promotes a philosophy of charity, compassion and social justice.
Birthday: c. 1225 – Death: March 7, 1274