Full Idea
As Augustine says, God would not allow any evil to exist in his works, unless he were to bring good even out of evil. It is part of the infinite goodness of God, that He allows evil to exist and out of it produces good.
Gist of Idea
It is part of God's supreme goodness that He brings good even out of evil
Source
Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologicae [1265], Ia,Q02,Art3,Ob1rep)
Book Reference
'The Existence of God', ed/tr. Hick,John [Macmillan 1964], p.85
A Reaction
Are God's powers so limited that He could not have achieved an equal amount of good without having to indulge in some evil first?
Related Idea
Idea 21266 God does not exist, because He is infinite and good, and so no evil should be discoverable [Aquinas]