Allow me to cite the Common and Angelic Doctor but, please do not make the immediate assumption that Aquinas is neither as clever nor as illumined as you ... you'll just make an ass of yourself
I find Aquinas quite lacking in that quote....but more than that your statement above I find interesting...
Your education facilitates your often putting your finger on quotes from those gone by such as this. You indicate that TA was clever and illumined....more clever and illumined than others...
I wonder what order you'd put all your ancient teachers and quotables....as to the heirarchy of clever and illumined they are and who would be making an ass out of whom based on this?
I think you'd find that many have made good points as well as lacking ones...and that many more than they have had their 'clever and illumined' moments. I'd rather actually discard both of those words...as clever to me is more coniving rather than enlightening and illumined indicates more than a moment but a permanent state.
I think we all have moments of clarity, moments of connection, and as discussed on numerous times lack the ability to translate that into something meaningful for others...or all.
If ANYONE had EVER done this ....translated their connection to something meaning for all.....then we would not have all these religions or denominations or this discussion forum now then would we...
(I do so like the title to this thread... is it asking Jesus a question, Stating the name of the figure and asking the question...or throwing one's hands up in frustration, screaming a common Christian epithet and then asking a question....me I chuckle at them all interchangeably)