Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Isaiah 14:12

Western Saints

Jerome

For greater ease of understanding we translated this phrase as follows: "How you have fallen from heaven, Lucifer, who arose in the morning." But if we were to render a literal translation from the Hebrew, it would read, "How you have fallen from heaven, howling son of the dawn." Lucifer is also signified with other words. And he who was formerly so glorious that he was compared to a bearer of lightning is now told that he must weep and mourn. …

Commentary on Isaiah ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Second, they reproach him with the glory he has lost. Both as to the dignity of the king: O Lucifer, beautiful among all other kings, in the morning, monarch before all others; and as to the power of war: how are you fallen to the earth: you, therefore, are the head of gold. And after you shall rise up another kingdom, inferior to you (Dan 2:38-39).

Commentary on Isaiah ↗

Bonaventure

The first among the Angels, Lucifer, presuming upon his private good, sought private excellence, wishing to be raised above the others; and therefore he fell together with the rest who consented to him. Falling, moreover, he became impenitent, obstinate and blinded and excluded from the contemplation of God and disordered in operation, striving with all his effort to subvert man through manifold temptation. …

Breviloquium, Part 2, Chapter 7 ↗