Meaning: This quote by Thomas Aquinas, a prominent theologian and philosopher of the medieval period, encapsulates a key aspect of his philosophical approach to understanding the nature of God. It reflects the concept of apophatic theology, which asserts that human language and understanding are limited when it comes to comprehending the divine. In other words, Aquinas is suggesting that our knowledge of God is constrained by our inability to fully grasp His essence and nature. Instead of defining God positively, Aquinas argues that it is only possible to approach an understanding of God by negation, by recognizing what God is not rather than what He is.

Central to Aquinas's theological and philosophical framework is the idea that human intellect and language are inherently limited when it comes to comprehending the divine. According to Aquinas, God's essence is beyond human comprehension, and therefore, any attempt to fully articulate or understand God's nature is bound to fall short. This perspective aligns with the broader tradition of apophatic or negative theology, which emphasizes the ineffability and transcendence of the divine.

In the context of the quote, Aquinas is highlighting the epistemic limitations of human beings when it comes to understanding God. He asserts that because we cannot know what God is, our knowledge of God is necessarily limited to what He is not. This notion finds resonance in various religious and philosophical traditions, including Christian mysticism, Neoplatonism, and certain strands of Jewish and Islamic thought.

The distinction between knowing what God is not and how He is not is crucial to understanding Aquinas's epistemological framework. By emphasizing the negation of attributes and characteristics in relation to God, Aquinas underscores the limitations of human language and conceptualization in capturing the divine reality. This approach also serves as a caution against anthropomorphizing or reducing God to human categories and limitations.

Aquinas's apophatic approach to theology has significant implications for how we approach the study of religion and the nature of religious language. It challenges theologians and philosophers to grapple with the inherent limitations of human understanding when it comes to the divine. Moreover, it invites a posture of humility and reverence in the face of the unfathomable mystery of God.

In sum, the quote by Thomas Aquinas encapsulates a fundamental aspect of his theological and philosophical thought, emphasizing the limitations of human knowledge and language in the context of understanding the divine. By highlighting the necessity of approaching God through negation rather than affirmation, Aquinas invites contemplation on the ineffable nature of the divine and the epistemic humility required in engaging with matters of ultimate reality.