Full Idea
It is by having essence that things exist.
Gist of Idea
It is by having essence that things exist
Source
Thomas Aquinas (De Ente et Essentia (Being and Essence) [1267], p.94)
Book Reference
Aquinas,Thomas: 'Selected Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. McDermott,Timothy [OUP 1993], p.94
A Reaction
Compare Idea 11199, which gives a fuller picture. This idea seems to suggest essence as the cause of existence, which sounds wrong. Perhaps essence is a necessary condition of existence, but it is necessary that nothing indeterminate can exist?
Related Idea
Idea 11199 Aristotelian essence underlies behaviour, or underlies definition, or is the source of existence [Aristotle, by Aquinas]