The Intellectual Life Summary

The book entitled The Intellectual Life was written by a Dominican friar named A.G. Sertillanges, OP. Born as Antonin Dalmace but eventually changed it to Antonin Gilbert when he entered the Order of Preachers. Sertillanges taught moral philosophy in Paris and was deeply embedded in the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas. He was known for his works concerning on how does one achieves intellectuality through spirituality and solitude. One of his books regarding acquiring a mind of wisdom was The Intellectual life. The book was first printed in the United States of America in 1948, the second was in 1952 and the third was in 1956. It was printed with some corrections in year 1959 and was finalized in 1960. The book is about on how one achieves …show more content…
His first point was, in order to be intellect; you must feel a vocation or a sacred calling. This vocation comes from the Supreme Being which is God. To have an intellectual life, readings, writings or any other self-improvement skill is not enough. It is through effort; effort in which a person who wants to achieve a life of intellect thirsts for knowledge every time. His second point was that in order to have an intellectual mind, you must acknowledge the truth and submit yourself into it. According to Sertillanges, that a person finds the truth not makes it. It’s like Truth has become the foundation of intellect and wisdom yet it is crucial. Also, one must be devoted in finding it; to set out the desires in your life and choose to live in a life that will lead you into the life that is morally right which is truth. For truth is grasped not by readings or writings alone but through patience and prayer. Truth is much deeper compared to other fields of studies and it is by correction on others’ shortcomings could we pursue the infallible …show more content…
Thomas Aquinas in helping the little ones to live their lives effectively was successful by producing The Intellectual Life. The book is calling every one of us to live by wisdom and not by ignorance that is brought by the selfish world. To achieve intellect is to live your life with, by and to God and recognizing his words as truth and most especially as life. The Intellectual life lets its readers to know the significance of living your life by wisdom through solitude and deep contemplation. The book showed the significance of intellect in our society and how does it benefit every individual in pursuing their life to the fullest. The advices of Sertillanges were concrete and very much helpful especially to the students who are pursuing their studies to achieve their goals in life. Hopefully, people will have a much vivid understanding of God and life through this book. This book is very much recommended to a society who lives by ignorance as of now; a society who lacks clearer understanding of life and of God. Truly, it opens our minds and our hearts in a life of perseverance and patience. Motivating and