The Goodness of Creatures in Aquinas‘ Reading of the Wisdom Books

Abstract This article explores Aquinas’ conception of the goodness of creatures in the light of his commentaries on wisdom literature. Leveraging the Index Thomisticus , relevant passages from Aquinas’ commentaries on wisdom books and their corresponding scriptural verses related to creation are identified. His non-exegetical works are also scrutinized for references to these verses. Through this examination, Aquinas emerges as affirming that God’s love encompasses all creatures, including the devil. Aquinas associates God with all that is good but also emphasizes the original goodness of demons and attributes the source of evil to the will of rational beings.