Anselm of Canterbury
A Benedictine monk and archbishop, known for his ontological argument for the existence of God.
Most quoted
"I do not endeavor, O Lord, to penetrate your sublimity, for I do not in any way compare my understanding with that; but I desire to understand a certain measure of your truth, which my heart believes and loves. For I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe, that unless I believe, I shall not understand."
— from Proslogion, Chapter 1, 1078
"For the supreme Nature is not improperly said to be just, when it is considered as punishing the wicked; nor merciful, when it is considered as sparing them; nor is it said to be just from one quality, and merciful from another, but it is one and the same essence, which is viewed under different aspects."
— from Monologion, 1076
"For if it can be thought not to exist, it is not that than which nothing greater can be thought. But this is a contradiction. So truly, therefore, does a being exist than which nothing greater can be thought, that it cannot be thought not to exist."
— from Proslogion, Chapter 3, 1078
All quotes by Anselm of Canterbury (109)
For I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order that I may understand. For this too I believe: that unless I believe, I shall not understand.
And indeed, we believe that thou art a being than which nothing greater can be conceived.
Therefore, Lord, who grants understanding to faith, grant me that, in so far as you know it to be beneficial, I may understand that you exist as we believe, and that you are what we believe you to be.
For if it is in the understanding alone, it can be conceived to exist in reality also, which is greater.
Thus even the fool is convinced that something than which nothing greater can be conceived exists in the understanding, since when he hears this he understands it, and whatever is understood exists in the understanding.
So truly, therefore, do you exist, O Lord, my God, that you cannot be conceived not to exist.
You are not only that than which a greater cannot be conceived, but you are a being greater than can be conceived.
I desire to understand in some measure your truth, which my heart believes and loves.
Have you found, O my soul, what you sought? You sought God, and you have found that he is the highest of all beings, that than which nothing greater can be conceived.
For the rational creature was made just, in order that it might be blessed in the enjoyment of the highest good, which is God.
You have not yet considered how great the weight of sin is.
It is necessary that the heavenly city be restored, and it cannot be restored unless satisfaction is made for sin.
No one but God can make this satisfaction, but no one ought to make it but man.
Therefore, it is necessary that a God-Man make it.
The will of God is never irrational.
Truth is rectitude perceptible by the mind alone.
Justice is rectitude of will kept for its own sake.
Free will is the power to preserve rectitude of will for its own sake.
For to sin is nothing other than not to render God his due.
God does not cause what he forbids, but he permits it for the sake of the order and beauty of the universe.
Contemporaries of Anselm of Canterbury
Other Philosophys born within 50 years of Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109).