Today is the traditional feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, who died on this date in 1274. A Dominican theologian who became celebrated as “the Angelic Doctor” and a giant in the field of philosophy, he wrote extensively on the topic of charity. Here are some brief quotes.

• “Charity is itself the fellowship of the spiritual life, whereby we arrive at happiness; hence it is loved as the good which we desire for all whom we love out of charity.”

•  “Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.”

•  “The things that we love tell who we are.”

• “To love is to will the good of another.”

• “If you can live amid injustice without anger, you are immoral.”

•  “I would rather feel compassion than know the meaning of it.”