Summa contra Gentiles1.94 Chapter XCIV. That the contemplative virtues are in God

There can be no doubt that the contemplative virtues are most becoming to God.

For since wisdom consists in the knowledge of the highest causes, according to the Philosopher at the beginning of his Metaphysics, and since God knows Himself principally, nor knows aught save by knowing Himself, as we have proved, Who is the first cause of all; it is evident that wisdom ought to be especially ascribed to Him. Hence we read (Job ix. 4): He is wise in heart; and (Ecclus. i. 1): All wisdom is from the Lord God and hath been always with Him. The Philosopher, too, says at the beginning of his Metaphysics that it is a divine, not a human, possession.

Again. Since science is the knowledge of a thing by its proper cause, and since He knows the order of all causes and effects, as we have shown above, it is evident that science is properly in Him: not that science however which is caused by reasoning, as our science is caused by a demonstration. Hence it is written (1 Kings ii. 3): The Lord is a God of all knowledge.

Further. Since immaterial knowledge of things without discoursing is understanding; and since God has this kind of knowledge about all things, as proved above, it follows that in Him is understanding. Hence we read (Job xii. 13): He hath counsel and understanding.

In God these virtues are the exemplars of ours, as the perfect of the imperfect.