Perfectam speculationem scientiarum, in the thirteenth century! In the last age of human progress will the wisest have arrived at anything like a 'perfect view of scientific truth?' There are many perturbing forces to interfere with the steady progress as well of the race as of the individual: -- infidelity, which will not be taught of God, and so wastes its powers after the fashion of an untractable schoolboy: sloth and timidity on the part of those who hold the talent of faith, wrapping it in a napkin instead of trafficking with it: wars and convulsions of civil society. At the same time, war rouses a nation; and the pressure of infidel criticism may and should develop a counter-energy in the Church.

Of God and His Creatures: 3.48