The Summa Contra Gentiles

of

Saint Thomas Aquinas

Literally Translated By The English Dominican Fathers From The Latest Leonine Edition

london

Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd.

28 ORCHARD STREET W. 1 8–10 PATERNOSTER ROW E.C.4

and · at · manchester · birmingham · and · glasgow

1924

Nihil Obstat:

R.P.F. Vincentius McNabb, O.P., S.T.M.

R.P.F. Lucas Walker, O.P., S.T.L.

Imprimatur:

R.P.F. Beda Jarrett, O.P., S.T.L., M.A.,

Prior Provincialis Angliæ.

Die 13 Novembris, 1923.

Festo S. Thomæ Aquinatis,

Patroni Scholarum.

___________

Nihil Obstat:

G. H. Joyce, S.J.,

Censor Deputatus.

Imprimatur:

Edm. Can. Surmont,

Vicarius Generalis.

Westmonasterii,

Die 15 Februarii, 1923.

Translator’s Preface

Fifteen years ago the English Dominican Fathers embarked on what was considered by many the hazardous and even useless venture of translating the Summa Theologica of the Angelic Doctor. Yet although there were critics adverse to the project, there were others, not a few, who approved and encouraged; these and the favour with which the effort, notwithstanding its many deficiencies, was received, heartened the translators to persevere, and enabled them to bring their work to a happy conclusion. For the venture has proved a success beyond the most sanguine expectations; and already the work has entered into a second edition.

During the progress of translating the Summa Theologica the translators were frequently asked why they had given preference to this work over the Summa Contra Gentiles. The reason is a simple one. The Latin text of the latter work, edited by P. A. Uccelli in 1857, was extremely defective, owing to the editor’s inability to read St. Thomas’s handwriting correctly.1 Father Peter Paul Mackey, who has been on the staff of the editors of the Leonine Edition of St. Thomas’s works for forty years, told the writer of this preface that it took him over two years to learn how to read St. Thomas’s autograph. It was not till 1918 that the above editors published the first two books of the Summa Contra Gentiles. Hence the delay in the translation. It is hoped that the English translation will receive the same indulgence and favour as that which has been accorded to the translation of the Summa Theologica.

E. L. S.

Contents

The First Book

i. in what consists the office of a wise man

ii. the author’s intention in this work

iii. in what way it is possible to make known the divine truth

iv. that the truth about divine things which is attainable by reason is fittingly proposed to man as an object of belief

v. that those things which cannot be investigated by reason are fittingly proposed to man as an object of faith

vi. that it is not a mark of levity to assent to the things that are of faith, although they are above reason

vii. that the truth of reason is not in opposition to the truth of the christian faith

viii. in what relation human reason stands to the truth of faith

ix. of the order and mode of procedure in this work

x. of the opinion of those who aver that ...