"Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures"
- Thomas Aquinas
About this Quote
This quote by Thomas Aquinas speaks with the concept that joy is an essential requirement for people. Without true spiritual joys, humans will look for carnal enjoyments as a substitute. This recommends that people have an inherent need for delight which when they are deprived of it, they will seek out other sources of enjoyment. Aquinas is indicating that real spiritual pleasures are the most fulfilling and that carnal pleasures are a poor alternative. He is likewise suggesting that humans must make every effort to discover true spiritual happiness in order to be genuinely satisfied. This quote talks to the idea that happiness is a vital part of life which human beings should strive to find joy in meaningful ways.