Hope
Definition and Explanation
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, point 1817:
- "Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit."
- Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologiae, IIa.IIae, question 17:
- Hope is the virtue by which man attains proper measure in his deeds, hoping for a difficult but attainable good, attainable only through the help of God.
- The proper object of hope is eternal happiness.
Examples from Western History and Literature
Socrates' Apology
[Socrates:] “[A]ny man who has the spirit of philosophy, will be willing to die, but he will not tak…
St. Paul’s Hope
My eager expectation and hope is that I shall not be put to shame in any way, but that with all bold…
Entrance to Hell
THROUGH ME THE WAY INTO THE SUFFERING CITY, THROUGH ME THE WAY TO THE ETERNAL PAIN, THROUGH ME THE W…
Thomas More's Last Words
Roper’s Life of Thomas More: “Wherewithal Master Pope, taking his leave of him, could not refrain fr…
Churchill’s Speech
"Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the …