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13:1 [Filius sapiens doctrina patris ; qui autem illusor est non audit cum arguitur.
*H A wise son heareth the doctrine of his father: but he that is a scorner, heareth not when he is reproved.


Ver. 1. Doctrine. Or he gives proof of his good education, (C.) and excites even his father to advance in piety. Ven. Bede. — Sept. "is obedient to his father; but the disobedient son is in destruction." H.

Υἱὸς πανοῦργος ὑπήκοος πατρὶ, υἱὸς δὲ ἀνήκοος ἐν ἀπωλείᾳ.
בֵּ֣ן חָ֭כָם מ֣וּסַר אָ֑ב וְ֝/לֵ֗ץ לֹא שָׁמַ֥ע גְּעָרָֽה
13:2 De fructu oris sui homo satiabitur bonis : anima autem praevaricatorum iniqua.
*H Of the fruit of his own month shall a man be filled with good things: but the soul of transgressors is wicked.


Ver. 2. Mouth. In reward of his good speeches. C. — Sept. "of justice the good man eateth; but the souls of the lawless perish before the time." C. xii. 13.

Ἀπὸ καρπῶν δικαιοσύνης φάγεται ἀγαθὸς, ψυχαὶ δὲ παρανόμων ὀλοῦνται ἄωροι.
מִ/פְּרִ֣י פִי אִ֭ישׁ יֹ֣אכַל ט֑וֹב וְ/נֶ֖פֶשׁ בֹּגְדִ֣ים חָמָֽס
13:3 Qui custodit os suum custodit animam suam ; qui autem inconsideratus est ad loquendum, sentiet mala.
*H He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his soul: but he that hath no guard on his speech shall meet with evils.


Ver. 3. Hath. Heb. "who openeth his lips inconsiderately, is lost. Judg. xi. 35. H.

Ὃς φυλάσσει τὸ ἑαυτοῦ στόμα τηρεῖ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν, ὁ δὲ προπετὴς χείλεσι πτοήσει ἑαυτόν.
נֹצֵ֣ר פִּ֭י/ו שֹׁמֵ֣ר נַפְשׁ֑/וֹ פֹּשֵׂ֥ק שְׂ֝פָתָ֗י/ו מְחִתָּה לֽ/וֹ
13:4 Vult et non vult piger ; anima autem operantium impinguabitur.
*H The sluggard willeth, and willeth not: but the soul of them that work, shall be made fat.


Ver. 4. Willeth not. Heb. "hath not." He only desires riches, or to be converted, and will not labour. C. xxi. 25. Eccli. v. 8.

Ἐν ἐπιθυμίαις ἐστὶ πᾶς ἀεργὸς, χεῖρες δὲ ἀνδρείων ἐν ἐπιμελείᾳ.
מִתְאַוָּ֣ה וָ֭/אַיִן נַפְשׁ֣/וֹ עָצֵ֑ל וְ/נֶ֖פֶשׁ חָרֻצִ֣ים תְּדֻשָּֽׁן
13:5 Verbum mendax justus detestabitur ; impius autem confundit, et confundetur.
*H The just shall hate a lying word: but the wicked confoundeth, and shall be confounded.


Ver. 5. Confounded. The detractor is like swine, stirring up dirt. S. Chrys. 32. ad Pop. — The liar is not believed, even when he speaks the truth. Aristot.

Λόγον ἄδικον μισεῖ δίκαιος, ἀσεβὴς δὲ αἰσχύνεται, καὶ οὐκ ἕξει παῤῥησίαν.
דְּבַר שֶׁ֭קֶר יִשְׂנָ֣א צַדִּ֑יק וְ֝/רָשָׁ֗ע יַבְאִ֥ישׁ וְ/יַחְפִּֽיר
13:6 Justitia custodit innocentis viam, impietas autem peccatorem supplantat.]
*H Justice keepeth the way of the innocent: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.


Ver. 6. Sinner. Sym. "draweth on sin." Virtue is the best safeguard.

צְ֭דָקָה תִּצֹּ֣ר תָּם דָּ֑רֶךְ וְ֝/רִשְׁעָ֗ה תְּסַלֵּ֥ף חַטָּֽאת
13:7 [Est quasi dives, cum nihil habeat, et est quasi pauper, cum in multis divitiis sit.
*H One is as it were rich, when he hath nothing and another is as it were poor, when he hath great riches.


Ver. 7. Riches. Such was S. Paul. 2 Cor. vi. 10. Some affect to be rich, while others are never satisfied. Semper avarus eget. Lazarus was very rich in God's sight.

Εἰσὶν οἱ πλουτίζοντες ἑαυτοὺς μηδὲν ἔχοντες, καὶ εἰσὶν οἱ ταπεινοῦντες ἑαυτοὺς ἐν πολλῷ πλούτῳ.
יֵ֣שׁ מִ֭תְעַשֵּׁר וְ/אֵ֣ין כֹּ֑ל מִ֝תְרוֹשֵׁ֗שׁ וְ/ה֣וֹן רָֽב
13:8 Redemptio animae viri divitiae suae ; qui autem pauper est, increpationem non sustinet.
*H The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but he that is poor, beareth not reprehension.


Ver. 8. Reprehension. Or is not able to defend himself, like the rich. C. — He is not exposed so much to great revolutions. Bayn.

Λύτρον ἀνδρὸς ψυχῆς ὁ ἴδιος πλοῦτος, πτωχὸς δὲ οὐχ ὑφίσταται ἀπειλήν.
כֹּ֣פֶר נֶֽפֶשׁ אִ֣ישׁ עָשְׁר֑/וֹ וְ֝/רָ֗שׁ לֹא שָׁמַ֥ע גְּעָרָֽה
13:9 Lux justorum laetificat : lucerna autem impiorum extinguetur.
*H The light of the just giveth joy: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.


Ver. 9. Out. They are hated as well as their offspring. C.

Φῶς δικαίοις διαπαντὸς, φῶς δὲ ἀσεβῶν σβέννυται· (9a) ψυχαὶ δόλιαι πλανῶνται ἐν ἁμαρτίαις, δίκαιοι δὲ οἰκτείρουσι καὶ ἐλεοῦσι.
אוֹר צַדִּיקִ֥ים יִשְׂמָ֑ח וְ/נֵ֖ר רְשָׁעִ֣ים יִדְעָֽךְ
13:10 Inter superbos semper jurgia sunt ; qui autem agunt omnia cum consilio, reguntur sapientia.
*H Among the proud there are always contentions: but they that do all things with counsel, are ruled by wisdom.


Ver. 10. Contentions. As none will yield. M. — Heb. "only by pride cometh contention." Prot. — "Pride is the mother of all sects." S. Aug.

Κακὸς μεθʼ ὕβρεως πράσσει κακὰ, οἱ δʼ ἑαυτῶν ἐπιγνώμονες σοφοί.
רַק בְּ֭/זָדוֹן יִתֵּ֣ן מַצָּ֑ה וְ/אֶת נ֖וֹעָצִ֣ים חָכְמָֽה
* Summa
*S Part 1, Ques 109, Article 2

[I, Q. 109, Art. 2]

Whether among the demons there is precedence?

Objection 1: It would seem that there is no precedence among the demons. For every precedence is according to some order of justice. But the demons are wholly fallen from justice. Therefore there is no precedence among them.

Obj. 2: Further, there is no precedence where obedience and subjection do not exist. But these cannot be without concord; which is not to be found among the demons, according to the text, "Among the proud there are always contentions" (Prov. 13:10). Therefore there is no precedence among the demons.

Obj. 3: If there be precedence among them it is either according to nature, or according to their sin or punishment. But it is not according to their nature, for subjection and service do not come from nature but from subsequent sin; neither is it according to sin or punishment, because in that case the superior demons who have sinned the most grievously, would be subject to the inferior. Therefore there is no precedence among the demons.

_On the contrary,_ On 1 Cor. 15:24 the gloss says: "While the world lasts, angels will preside over angels, men over men, and demons over demons."

_I answer that,_ Since action follows the nature of a thing, where natures are subordinate, actions also must be subordinate to each other. Thus it is in corporeal things, for as the inferior bodies by natural order are below the heavenly bodies, their actions and movements are subject to the actions and movements of the heavenly bodies. Now it is plain from what we have said (A. 1), that the demons are by natural order subject to others; and hence their actions are subject to the action of those above them, and this is what we mean by precedence--that the action of the subject should be under the action of the prelate. So the very natural disposition of the demons requires that there should be authority among them. This agrees too with Divine wisdom, which leaves nothing inordinate, which "reacheth from end to end mightily, and ordereth all things sweetly" (Wis. 8:1).

Reply Obj. 1: The authority of the demons is not founded on their justice, but on the justice of God ordering all things.

Reply Obj. 2: The concord of the demons, whereby some obey others, does not arise from mutual friendships, but from their common wickedness whereby they hate men, and fight against God's justice. For it belongs to wicked men to be joined to and subject to those whom they see to be stronger, in order to carry out their own wickedness.

Reply Obj. 3: The demons are not equal in nature; and so among them there exists a natural precedence; which is not the case with men, who are naturally equal. That the inferior are subject to the superior, is not for the benefit of the superior, but rather to their detriment; because since to do evil belongs in a pre-eminent degree to unhappiness, it follows that to preside in evil is to be more unhappy. _______________________

THIRD

*S Part 2, Ques 27, Article 3

[I-II, Q. 27, Art. 3]

Whether Likeness Is a Cause of Love?

Objection 1: It would seem that likeness is not a cause of love. For the same thing is not the cause of contraries. But likeness is the cause of hatred; for it is written (Prov. 13:10) that "among the proud there are always contentions"; and the Philosopher says (Ethic. viii, 1) that "potters quarrel with one another." Therefore likeness is not a cause of love.

Obj. 2: Further, Augustine says (Confess. iv, 14) that "a man loves in another that which he would not be himself: thus he loves an actor, but would not himself be an actor." But it would not be so, if likeness were the proper cause of love; for in that case a man would love in another, that which he possesses himself, or would like to possess. Therefore likeness is not a cause of love.

Obj. 3: Further, everyone loves that which he needs, even if he have it not: thus a sick man loves health, and a poor man loves riches. But in so far as he needs them and lacks them, he is unlike them. Therefore not only likeness but also unlikeness is a cause of love.

Obj. 4: Further, the Philosopher says (Rhet. ii, 4) that "we love those who bestow money and health on us; and also those who retain their friendship for the dead." But all are not such. Therefore likeness is not a cause of love.

_On the contrary,_ It is written (Ecclus. 13:19): "Every beast loveth its like."

_I answer that,_ Likeness, properly speaking, is a cause of love. But it must be observed that likeness between things is twofold. One kind of likeness arises from each thing having the same quality actually: for example, two things possessing the quality of whiteness are said to be alike. Another kind of likeness arises from one thing having potentially and by way of inclination, a quality which the other has actually: thus we may say that a heavy body existing outside its proper place is like another heavy body that exists in its proper place: or again, according as potentiality bears a resemblance to its act; since act is contained, in a manner, in the potentiality itself.

Accordingly the first kind of likeness causes love of friendship or well-being. For the very fact that two men are alike, having, as it were, one form, makes them to be, in a manner, one in that form: thus two men are one thing in the species of humanity, and two white men are one thing in whiteness. Hence the affections of one tend to the other, as being one with him; and he wishes good to him as to himself. But the second kind of likeness causes love of concupiscence, or friendship founded on usefulness or pleasure: because whatever is in potentiality, as such, has the desire for its act; and it takes pleasure in its realization, if it be a sentient and cognitive being.

Now it has been stated above (Q. 26, A. 4), that in the love of concupiscence, the lover, properly speaking, loves himself, in willing the good that he desires. But a man loves himself more than another: because he is one with himself substantially, whereas with another he is one only in the likeness of some form. Consequently, if this other's likeness to him arising from the participation of a form, hinders him from gaining the good that he loves, he becomes hateful to him, not for being like him, but for hindering him from gaining his own good. This is why "potters quarrel among themselves," because they hinder one another's gain: and why "there are contentions among the proud," because they hinder one another in attaining the position they covet.

Hence the Reply to the First Objection is evident.

Reply Obj. 2: Even when a man loves in another what he loves not in himself, there is a certain likeness of proportion: because as the latter is to that which is loved in him, so is the former to that which he loves in himself: for instance, if a good singer love a good writer, we can see a likeness of proportion, inasmuch as each one has that which is becoming to him in respect of his art.

Reply Obj. 3: He that loves what he needs, bears a likeness to what he loves, as potentiality bears a likeness to its act, as stated above.

Reply Obj. 4: According to the same likeness of potentiality to its act, the illiberal man loves the man who is liberal, in so far as he expects from him something which he desires. The same applies to the man who is constant in his friendship as compared to one who is inconstant. For in either case friendship seems to be based on usefulness. We might also say that although not all men have these virtues in the complete habit, yet they have them according to certain seminal principles in the reason, in force of which principles the man who is not virtuous loves the virtuous man, as being in conformity with his own natural reason. ________________________

FOURTH

*S Part 3, Ques 188, Article 5

[II-II, Q. 188, Art. 5]

Whether a Religious Order Should Be Established for the Purpose of Study?

Objection 1: It would seem that a religious order should not be established for the purpose of study. For it is written (Ps. 70:15, 16): "Because I have not known letters [Douay: 'learning'], I will enter into the powers of the Lord," i.e. "Christian virtue," according to a gloss. Now the perfection of Christian virtue, seemingly, pertains especially to religious. Therefore it is not for them to apply themselves to the study of letters.

Obj. 2: Further, that which is a source of dissent is unbecoming to religious, who are gathered together in the unity of peace. Now study leads to dissent: wherefore different schools of thought arose among the philosophers. Hence Jerome (Super Epist. ad Tit. 1:5) says: "Before a diabolical instinct brought study into religion, and people said: I am of Paul, I of Apollo, I of Cephas," etc. Therefore it would seem that no religious order should be established for the purpose of study.

Obj. 3: Further, those who profess the Christian religion should profess nothing in common with the Gentiles. Now among the Gentiles were some who professed philosophy, and even now some secular persons are known as professors of certain sciences. Therefore the study of letters does not become religious.

_On the contrary,_ Jerome (Ep. liii ad Paulin.) urges him to acquire learning in the monastic state, saying: "Let us learn on earth those things the knowledge of which will remain in heaven," and further on: "Whatever you seek to know, I will endeavor to know with you."

I answer that As stated above (A. 2), religion may be ordained to the active and to the contemplative life. Now chief among the works of the active life are those which are directly ordained to the salvation of souls, such as preaching and the like. Accordingly the study of letters is becoming to the religious life in three ways. First, as regards that which is proper to the contemplative life, to which the study of letters helps in a twofold manner. In one way by helping directly to contemplate, namely by enlightening the intellect. For the contemplative life of which we are now speaking is directed chiefly to the consideration of divine things, as stated above (Q. 180, A. 4), to which consideration man is directed by study; for which reason it is said in praise of the righteous (Ps. 1:2) that "he shall meditate day and night" on the law of the Lord, and (Ecclus. 39:1): "The wise man will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients, and will be occupied in the prophets." In another way the study of letters is a help to the contemplative life indirectly, by removing the obstacles to contemplation, namely the errors which in the contemplation of divine things frequently beset those who are ignorant of the scriptures. Thus we read in the Conferences of the Fathers (Coll. x, 3) that the Abbot Serapion through simplicity fell into the error of the Anthropomorphites, who thought that God had a human shape. Hence Gregory says (Moral. vi) that "some through seeking in contemplation more than they are able to grasp, fall away into perverse doctrines, and by failing to be the humble disciples of truth become the masters of error." Hence it is written (Eccles. 2:3): "I thought in my heart to withdraw my flesh from wine, that I might turn my mind to wisdom and might avoid folly."

Secondly, the study of letters is necessary in those religious orders that are founded for preaching and other like works; wherefore the Apostle (Titus 1:9), speaking of bishops to whose office these acts belong, says: "Embracing that faithful word which is according to doctrine, that he may be able to exhort in sound doctrine and to convince the gainsayers." Nor does it matter that the apostles were sent to preach without having studied letters, because, as Jerome says (Ep. liii ad Paulin.), "whatever others acquire by exercise and daily meditation in God's law, was taught them by the Holy Ghost."

Thirdly, the study of letters is becoming to religious as regards that which is common to all religious orders. For it helps us to avoid the lusts of the flesh; wherefore Jerome says (Ep. cxxv ad Rust. Monach.): "Love the science of the Scriptures and thou shalt have no love for carnal vice." For it turns the mind away from lustful thoughts, and tames the flesh on account of the toil that study entails according to Ecclus. 31:1, "Watching for riches* consumeth the flesh." [*_Vigilia honestatis._ St. Thomas would seem to have taken _honestas_ in the sense of virtue]. It also helps to remove the desire of riches, wherefore it is written (Wis. 7:8): "I . . . esteemed riches nothing in comparison with her," and (1 Macc. 12:9): "We needed none of these things," namely assistance from without, "having for our comfort the holy books that are in our hands." It also helps to teach obedience, wherefore Augustine says (De oper. Monach. xvii): "What sort of perverseness is this, to wish to read, but not to obey what one reads?" Hence it is clearly fitting that a religious order be established for the study of letters.

Reply Obj. 1: This commentary of the gloss is an exposition of the Old Law of which the Apostle says (2 Cor. 3:6): "The letter killeth." Hence not to know letters is to disapprove of the circumcision of the "letter" and other carnal observances.

Reply Obj. 2: Study is directed to knowledge which, without charity, "puffeth up," and consequently leads to dissent, according to Prov. 13:10, "Among the proud there are always dissensions": whereas, with charity, it "edifieth and begets concord." Hence the Apostle after saying (1 Cor. 1:5): "You are made rich . . . in all utterance and in all knowledge," adds (1 Cor. 1:10): "That you all speak the same thing, and that there be no schisms among you." But Jerome is not speaking here of the study of letters, but of the study of dissensions which heretics and schismatics have brought into the Christian religion.

Reply Obj. 3: The philosophers professed the study of letters in the matter of secular learning: whereas it becomes religious to devote themselves chiefly to the study of letters in reference to the doctrine that is "according to godliness" (Titus 1:1). It becomes not religious, whose whole life is devoted to the service of God, to seek for other learning, save in so far as it is referred to the sacred doctrine. Hence Augustine says at the end of _De Musica_ vi, 17: "Whilst we think that we should not overlook those whom heretics delude by the deceitful assurance of reason and knowledge, we are slow to advance in the consideration of their methods. Yet we should not be praised for doing this, were it not that many holy sons of their most loving mother the Catholic Church had done the same under the necessity of confounding heretics." _______________________

SIXTH

13:11 Substantia festinata minuetur ; quae autem paulatim colligitur manu, multiplicabitur.
*H Substance got in haste shall be diminished: but that which by little and little is gathered with the hand, shall increase.


Ver. 11. Haste. Heb. "by vanity," and injustice. Those who become rich on a sudden fall under suspicion, as a Roman objected to Sylla, who had inherited nothing. Plut. — By little. Heb. "he that gathereth by labour, (Sept. piety) shall increase." Prot. H.

Ὕπαρξις ἐπισπουδαζομένη μετὰ ἀνομίας, ἐλάσσων γίνεται, ὁ δὲ συνάγων ἑαυτῷ μετʼ εὐσεβείας πληθυνθήσεται· δίκαιος οἰκτείρει καὶ κιχρᾷ.
ה֭וֹן מֵ/הֶ֣בֶל יִמְעָ֑ט וְ/קֹבֵ֖ץ עַל יָ֣ד יַרְבֶּֽה
13:12 Spes quae differtur affligit animam ; lignum vitae desiderium veniens.]
*H Hope that is deferred afflicteth the soul: desire when it cometh, is a tree of life.


Ver. 12. Hope. Sept. "(the just shews mercy and lends) better is he who begins heartily to assist, than he who promises and leads to hope. For a bad (Grabe substitutes good) desire is a tree of life." — Soul. Prot. "maketh the heart sick." H. — The pain increases in proportion to our eager desire. Calvin maintains, that the souls of the blessed are not yet in heaven, but hope: and of course he would establish a sort of purgatory for them. H.

Κρείσσων ἐναρχόμενος βοηθῶν καρδίᾳ, τοῦ ἐπαγγελλομένου καὶ εἰς ἐλπίδα ἄγοντος· δένδρον γὰρ ζωῆς, ἐπιθυμία ἀγαθή.
תּוֹחֶ֣לֶת מְ֭מֻשָּׁכָה מַחֲלָה לֵ֑ב וְ/עֵ֥ץ חַ֝יִּ֗ים תַּאֲוָ֥ה בָאָֽה
* Summa
*S Part 2, Ques 32, Article 3

[I-II, Q. 32, Art. 3]

Whether Hope and Memory Cause Pleasure?

Objection 1: It would seem that memory and hope do not cause pleasure. Because pleasure is caused by present good, as Damascene says (De Fide Orth. ii, 12). But hope and memory regard what is absent: since memory is of the past, and hope of the future. Therefore memory and hope do not cause pleasure.

Obj. 2: Further, the same thing is not the cause of contraries. But hope causes affliction, according to Prov. 13:12: "Hope that is deferred afflicteth the soul." Therefore hope does not cause pleasure.

Obj. 3: Further, just as hope agrees with pleasure in regarding good, so also do desire and love. Therefore hope should not be assigned as a cause of pleasure, any more than desire or love.

_On the contrary,_ It is written (Rom. 12:12): "Rejoicing in hope"; and (Ps. 76:4): "I remembered God, and was delighted."

_I answer that,_ Pleasure is caused by the presence of suitable good, in so far as it is felt, or perceived in any way. Now a thing is present to us in two ways. First, in knowledge--i.e. according as the thing known is in the knower by its likeness; secondly, in reality--i.e. according as one thing is in real conjunction of any kind with another, either actually or potentially. And since real conjunction is greater than conjunction by likeness, which is the conjunction of knowledge; and again, since actual is greater than potential conjunction: therefore the greatest pleasure is that which arises from sensation which requires the presence of the sensible object. The second place belongs to the pleasure of hope, wherein there is pleasurable conjunction, not only in respect of apprehension, but also in respect of the faculty or power of obtaining the pleasurable object. The third place belongs to the pleasure of memory, which has only the conjunction of apprehension.

Reply Obj. 1: Hope and memory are indeed of things which, absolutely speaking, are absent: and yet those are, after a fashion, present, i.e. either according to apprehension only; or according to apprehension and possibility, at least supposed, of attainment.

Reply Obj. 2: Nothing prevents the same thing, in different ways, being the cause of contraries. And so hope, inasmuch as it implies a present appraising of a future good, causes pleasure; whereas, inasmuch as it implies absence of that good, it causes affliction.

Reply Obj. 3: Love and concupiscence also cause pleasure. For everything that is loved becomes pleasing to the lover, since love is a kind of union or connaturalness of lover and beloved. In like manner every object of desire is pleasing to the one that desires, since desire is chiefly a craving for pleasure. However hope, as implying a certainty of the real presence of the pleasing good, that is not implied either by love or by concupiscence, is reckoned in preference to them as causing pleasure; and also in preference to memory, which is of that which has already passed away. ________________________

FOURTH

*S Part 2, Ques 40, Article 8

[I-II, Q. 40, Art. 8]

Whether Hope Is a Help or a Hindrance to Action?

Objection 1: It would seem that hope is not a help but a hindrance to action. Because hope implies security. But security begets negligence which hinders action. Therefore hope is a hindrance to action.

Obj. 2: Further, sorrow hinders action, as stated above (Q. 37, A. 3). But hope sometimes causes sorrow: for it is written (Prov. 13:12): "Hope that is deferred afflicteth the soul." Therefore hope hinders action.

Obj. 3: Further, despair is contrary to hope, as stated above (A. 4). But despair, especially in matters of war, conduces to action; for it is written (2 Kings 2:26), that "it is dangerous to drive people to despair." Therefore hope has a contrary effect, namely, by hindering action.

_On the contrary,_ It is written (1 Cor. 9:10) that "he that plougheth should plough in hope . . . to receive fruit": and the same applies to all other actions.

_I answer that,_ Hope of its very nature is a help to action by making it more intense: and this for two reasons. First, by reason of its object, which is a good, difficult but possible. For the thought of its being difficult arouses our attention; while the thought that it is possible is no drag on our effort. Hence it follows that by reason of hope man is intent on his action. Secondly, on account of its effect. Because hope, as stated above (Q. 32, A. 3), causes pleasure; which is a help to action, as stated above (Q. 33, A. 4). Therefore hope is conducive to action.

Reply Obj. 1: Hope regards a good to be obtained; security regards an evil to be avoided. Wherefore security seems to be contrary to fear rather than to belong to hope. Yet security does not beget negligence, save in so far as it lessens the idea of difficulty: whereby it also lessens the character of hope: for the things in which a man fears no hindrance, are no longer looked upon as difficult.

Reply Obj. 2: Hope of itself causes pleasure; it is by accident that it causes sorrow, as stated above (Q. 32, A. 3, ad 2).

Reply Obj. 3: Despair threatens danger in war, on account of a certain hope that attaches to it. For they who despair of flight, strive less to fly, but hope to avenge their death: and therefore in this hope they fight the more bravely, and consequently prove dangerous to the foe. ________________________

*S Part 3, Ques 136, Article 5

[II-II, Q. 136, Art. 5]

Whether Patience Is the Same As Longanimity?* [*Longsuffering. It is necessary to preserve the Latin word, on account of the comparison with magnanimity.]

Objection 1: It seems that patience is the same as longanimity. For Augustine says (De Patientia i) that "we speak of patience in God, not as though any evil made Him suffer, but because He awaits the wicked, that they may be converted." Wherefore it is written (Ecclus. 5:4): "The Most High is a patient rewarder." Therefore it seems that patience is the same as longanimity.

Obj. 2: Further, the same thing is not contrary to two things. But impatience is contrary to longanimity, whereby one awaits a delay: for one is said to be impatient of delay, as of other evils. Therefore it seems that patience is the same as longanimity.

Obj. 3: Further, just as time is a circumstance of wrongs endured, so is place. But no virtue is distinct from patience on the score of place. Therefore in like manner longanimity which takes count of time, in so far as a person waits for a long time, is not distinct from patience.

Obj. 4: _On the contrary,_ a gloss [*Origen, Comment. in Ep. ad Rom. ii] on Rom. 2:4, "Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness, and patience, and longsuffering?" says: "It seems that longanimity differs from patience, because those who offend from weakness rather than of set purpose are said to be borne with longanimity: while those who take a deliberate delight in their crimes are said to be borne patiently."

_I answer that,_ Just as by magnanimity a man has a mind to tend to great things, so by longanimity a man has a mind to tend to something a long way off. Wherefore as magnanimity regards hope, which tends to good, rather than daring, fear, or sorrow, which have evil as their object, so also does longanimity. Hence longanimity has more in common with magnanimity than with patience.

Nevertheless it may have something in common with patience, for two reasons. First, because patience, like fortitude, endures certain evils for the sake of good, and if this good is awaited shortly, endurance is easier: whereas if it be delayed a long time, it is more difficult. Secondly, because the very delay of the good we hope for, is of a nature to cause sorrow, according to Prov. 13:12, "Hope that is deferred afflicteth the soul." Hence there may be patience in bearing this trial, as in enduring any other sorrows. Accordingly longanimity and constancy are both comprised under patience, in so far as both the delay of the hoped for good (which regards longanimity) and the toil which man endures in persistently accomplishing a good work (which regards constancy) may be considered under the one aspect of grievous evil.

For this reason Tully (De Invent. Rhet. ii) in defining patience, says that "patience is the voluntary and prolonged endurance of arduous and difficult things for the sake of virtue or profit." By saying "arduous" he refers to constancy in good; when he says "difficult" he refers to the grievousness of evil, which is the proper object of patience; and by adding "continued" or "long lasting," he refers to longanimity, in so far as it has something in common with patience.

This suffices for the Replies to the First and Second Objections.

Reply Obj. 3: That which is a long way off as to place, though distant from us, is not simply distant from things in nature, as that which is a long way off in point of time: hence the comparison fails. Moreover, what is remote as to place offers no difficulty save in the point of time, since what is placed a long way from us is a long time coming to us.

We grant the fourth argument. We must observe, however, that the reason for the difference assigned by this gloss is that it is hard to bear with those who sin through weakness, merely because they persist a long time in evil, wherefore it is said that they are borne with longanimity: whereas the very fact of sinning through pride seems to be unendurable; for which reason those who sin through pride are stated to be borne with patience. _______________________

*S Part 4, Ques 52, Article 2

[III, Q. 52, Art. 2]

Whether Christ Went Down into the Hell of the Lost?

Objection 1: It would seem that Christ went down into the hell of the lost, because it is said by the mouth of Divine Wisdom (Ecclus. 24:45): "I will penetrate to all the lower parts of the earth." But the hell of the lost is computed among the lower parts of the earth according to Ps. 62:10: "They shall go into the lower parts of the earth." Therefore Christ who is the Wisdom of God, went down even into the hell of the lost.

Obj. 2: Further, Peter says (Acts 2:24) that "God hath raised up Christ, having loosed the sorrows of hell, as it was impossible that He should be holden by it." But there are no sorrows in the hell of the Fathers, nor in the hell of the children, since they are not punished with sensible pain on account of any actual sin, but only with the pain of loss on account of original sin. Therefore Christ went down into the hell of the lost, or else into Purgatory, where men are tormented with sensible pain on account of actual sins.

Obj. 3: Further, it is written (1 Pet. 3:19) that "Christ coming in spirit preached to those spirits that were in prison, which had some time been incredulous": and this is understood of Christ's descent into hell, as Athanasius says (Ep. ad Epict.). For he says that "Christ's body was laid in the sepulchre when He went to preach to those spirits who were in bondage, as Peter said." But it is clear the unbelievers were in the hell of the lost. Therefore Christ went down into the hell of the lost.

Obj. 4: Further, Augustine says (Ep. ad Evod. clxiv): "If the sacred Scriptures had said that Christ came into Abraham's bosom, without naming hell or its woes, I wonder whether any person would dare to assert that He descended into hell. But since evident testimonies mention hell and its sorrows, there is no reason for believing that Christ went there except to deliver men from the same woes." But the place of woes is the hell of the lost. Therefore Christ descended into the hell of the lost.

Obj. 5: Further, as Augustine says in a sermon upon the Resurrection: Christ descending into hell "set free all the just who were held in the bonds of original sin." But among them was Job, who says of himself (Job 17:16): "All that I have shall go down into the deepest pit." Therefore Christ descended into the deepest pit.

_On the contrary,_ Regarding the hell of the lost it is written (Job 10:21): "Before I go, and return no more, to a land that is dark and covered with the mist of death." Now there is no "fellowship of light with darkness," according to 2 Cor. 6:14. Therefore Christ, who is "the light," did not descend into the hell of the lost.

_I answer that,_ A thing is said to be in a place in two ways. First of all, through its effect, and in this way Christ descended into each of the hells, but in different manner. For going down into the hell of the lost He wrought this effect, that by descending thither He put them to shame for their unbelief and wickedness: but to them who were detained in Purgatory He gave hope of attaining to glory: while upon the holy Fathers detained in hell solely on account of original sin, He shed the light of glory everlasting.

In another way a thing is said to be in a place through its essence: and in this way Christ's soul descended only into that part of hell wherein the just were detained. so that He visited them "in place," according to His soul, whom He visited "interiorly by grace," according to His Godhead. Accordingly, while remaining in one part of hell, He wrought this effect in a measure in every part of hell, just as while suffering in one part of the earth He delivered the whole world by His Passion.

Reply Obj. 1: Christ, who is the Wisdom of God, penetrated to all the lower parts of the earth, not passing through them locally with His soul, but by spreading the effects of His power in a measure to them all: yet so that He enlightened only the just: because the text quoted continues: "And I will enlighten all that hope in the Lord."

Reply Obj. 2: Sorrow is twofold: one is the suffering of pain which men endure for actual sin, according to Ps. 17:6: "The sorrows of hell encompassed me." Another sorrow comes of hoped-for glory being deferred, according to Prov. 13:12: "Hope that is deferred afflicteth the soul": and such was the sorrow which the holy Fathers suffered in hell, and Augustine refers to it in a sermon on the Passion, saying that "they besought Christ with tearful entreaty." Now by descending into hell Christ took away both sorrows, yet in different ways: for He did away with the sorrows of pains by preserving souls from them, just as a physician is said to free a man from sickness by warding it off by means of physic. Likewise He removed the sorrows caused by glory deferred, by bestowing glory.

Reply Obj. 3: These words of Peter are referred by some to Christ's descent into hell: and they explain it in this sense: "Christ preached to them who formerly were unbelievers, and who were shut up in prison"--that is, in hell--"in spirit"--that is, by His soul. Hence Damascene says (De Fide Orth. iii): "As He evangelized them who are upon the earth, so did He those who were in hell"; not in order to convert unbelievers unto belief, but to put them to shame for their unbelief, since preaching cannot be understood otherwise than as the open manifesting of His Godhead, which was laid bare before them in the lower regions by His descending in power into hell.

Augustine, however, furnishes a better exposition of the text in his Epistle to Evodius quoted above, namely, that the preaching is not to be referred to Christ's descent into hell, but to the operation of His Godhead, to which He gave effect from the beginning of the world. Consequently, the sense is, that "to those (spirits) that were in prison"--that is, living in the mortal body, which is, as it were, the soul's prison-house--"by the spirit" of His Godhead "He came and preached" by internal inspirations, and from without by the admonitions spoken by the righteous: to those, I say, He preached "which had been some time incredulous," i.e. not believing in the preaching of Noe, "when they waited for the patience of God," whereby the chastisement of the Deluge was put off: accordingly (Peter) adds: "In the days of Noe, when the Ark was being built."

Reply Obj. 4: The expression "Abraham's bosom" may be taken in two senses. First of all, as implying that restfulness, existing there, from sensible pain; so that in this sense it cannot be called hell, nor are there any sorrows there. In another way it can be taken as implying the privation of longed-for glory: in this sense it has the character of hell and sorrow. Consequently, that rest of the blessed is now called Abraham's bosom, yet it is not styled hell, nor are sorrows said to be now in Abraham's bosom.

Reply Obj. 5: As Gregory says (Moral. xiii): "Even the higher regions of hell he calls the deepest hell . . . For if relatively to the height of heaven this darksome air is infernal, then relatively to the height of this same air the earth lying beneath can be considered as infernal and deep. And again in comparison with the height of the same earth, those parts of hell which are higher than the other infernal mansions, may in this way be designated as the deepest hell." _______________________

THIRD

13:13 [Qui detrahit alicui rei, ipse se in futurum obligat ; qui autem timet praeceptum, in pace versabitur. Animae dolosae errant in peccatis : justi autem misericordes sunt, et miserantur.
*H Whosoever speaketh ill of any thing, bindeth himself for the time to come: but he that feareth the commandment, shall dwell in peace. Deceitful souls go astray in sins: the just are merciful, and shew mercy.


Ver. 13. Come. To defend what he has asserted, or to pass for a liar. Heb. "shall be destroyed by it." Mont. H. — Those who despise God's order shall perish. — Deceitful, &c. This is not in Heb. nor in some of the Lat. edit. C. — Sept. "to the deceitful son nothing shall be good. But the ways of the wise servant shall prosper, and his paths shall be made straight." C. xiv. 15. H.

Ὃς καταφρονεῖ πράγματος, καταφρονηθήσεται ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ· ὁ δὲ φοβούμενος ἐντολὴν, οὗτος ὑγιαίνει· 13a υἱῷ δολίῳ οὐδὲν ἔσται ἀγαθὸν, οἰκέτῃ δὲ σοφῷ εὔοδοι ἔσονται πράξεις, καὶ κατευθυνθήσεται ἡ ὁδὸς αὐτοῦ.
בָּ֣ז לְ֭/דָבָר יֵחָ֣בֶל ל֑/וֹ וִ/ירֵ֥א מִ֝צְוָ֗ה ה֣וּא יְשֻׁלָּֽם
13:14 Lex sapientis fons vitae, ut declinet a ruina mortis.
*H The law of the wise is a fountain of life, that he may decline from the ruin of death.


Ver. 14. That. Sept. "but the fool is slain in the snare." H.

Νόμος σοφοῦ πηγὴ ζωῆς, ὁ δὲ ἄνους ὑπὸ παγίδος θανεῖται.
תּוֹרַ֣ת חָ֭כָם מְק֣וֹר חַיִּ֑ים לָ֝/ס֗וּר מִ/מֹּ֥קְשֵׁי מָֽוֶת
13:15 Doctrina bona dabit gratiam ; in itinere contemptorum vorago.
*H Good instruction shall give grace: in the way of scorners is a deep pit.


Ver. 15. Grace. God assists those who strive to be well instructed. C.

Σύνεσις ἀγαθὴ δίδωσι χάριν, τὸ δὲ γνῶναι νόμον διανοίας ἐστὶν ἀγαθῆς, ὁδοὶ δὲ καταφρονούντων ἐν ἀπωλείᾳ.
שֵֽׂכֶל ט֭וֹב יִתֶּן חֵ֑ן וְ/דֶ֖רֶךְ בֹּגְדִ֣ים אֵיתָֽן
13:16 Astutus omnia agit cum consilio ; qui autem fatuus est aperit stultitiam.
The prudent man doth all things with counsel: but he that is a fool, layeth open his folly.
Πᾶς πανοῦργος πράσσει μετὰ γνώσεως, ὁ δὲ ἄφρων ἐξεπέτασεν ἑαυτοῦ κακίαν.
כָּל עָ֭רוּם יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה בְ/דָ֑עַת וּ֝/כְסִ֗יל יִפְרֹ֥שׂ אִוֶּֽלֶת
* Summa
*S Part 3, Ques 55, Article 3

[II-II, Q. 55, Art. 3]

Whether Craftiness Is a Special Sin?

Objection 1: It would seem that craftiness is not a special sin. For the words of Holy Writ do not induce anyone to sin; and yet they induce us to be crafty, according to Prov. 1:4, "To give craftiness [Douay: 'subtlety'] to little ones." Therefore craftiness is not a sin.

Obj. 2: Further, it is written (Prov. 13:16): "The crafty [Douay: 'prudent'] man doth all things with counsel." Therefore, he does so either for a good or for an evil end. If for a good end, there is no sin seemingly, and if for an evil end, it would seem to pertain to carnal or worldly prudence. Therefore craftiness is not a special sin distinct from prudence of the flesh.

Obj. 3: Further, Gregory expounding the words of Job 12, "The simplicity of the just man is laughed to scorn," says (Moral. x, 29): "The wisdom of this world is to hide one's thoughts by artifice, to conceal one's meaning by words, to represent error as truth, to make out the truth to be false," and further on he adds: "This prudence is acquired by the young, it is learnt at a price by children." Now the above things seem to belong to craftiness. Therefore craftiness is not distinct from carnal or worldly prudence, and consequently it seems not to be a special sin.

_On the contrary,_ The Apostle says (2 Cor. 4:2): "We renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God." Therefore craftiness is a sin.

_I answer that,_ Prudence is _right reason applied to action,_ just as science is _right reason applied to knowledge._ In speculative matters one may sin against rectitude of knowledge in two ways: in one way when the reason is led to a false conclusion that appears to be true; in another way when the reason proceeds from false premises, that appear to be true, either to a true or to a false conclusion. Even so a sin may be against prudence, through having some resemblance thereto, in two ways. First, when the purpose of the reason is directed to an end which is good not in truth but in appearance, and this pertains to prudence of the flesh; secondly, when, in order to obtain a certain end, whether good or evil, a man uses means that are not true but fictitious and counterfeit, and this belongs to the sin of craftiness. This is consequently a sin opposed to prudence, and distinct from prudence of the flesh.

Reply Obj. 1: As Augustine observes (Contra Julian. iv, 3) just as prudence is sometimes improperly taken in a bad sense, so is craftiness sometimes taken in a good sense, and this on account of their mutual resemblance. Properly speaking, however, craftiness is taken in a bad sense, as the Philosopher states in _Ethic._ vi, 12.

Reply Obj. 2: Craftiness can take counsel both for a good end and for an evil end: nor should a good end be pursued by means that are false and counterfeit but by such as are true. Hence craftiness is a sin if it be directed to a good end.

Reply Obj. 3: Under "worldly prudence" Gregory included everything that can pertain to false prudence, so that it comprises craftiness also. _______________________

FOURTH

13:17 Nuntius impii cadet in malum ; legatus autem fidelis, sanitas.
*H The messenger of the wicked shall fall into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.


Ver. 17. Of the. Heb. "a wicked ambassador." A king generally chooses people like himself. M. — Sept. have read melec. "A rash king shall," &c.

Βασιλεὺς θρασὺς ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς κακὰ, ἄγγελος δὲ σοφὸς ῥύσεται αὐτόν.
מַלְאָ֣ךְ רָ֭שָׁע יִפֹּ֣ל בְּ/רָ֑ע וְ/צִ֖יר אֱמוּנִ֣ים מַרְפֵּֽא
13:18 Egestas et ignominia ei qui deserit disciplinam ; qui autem acquiescit arguenti glorificabitur.
*H Poverty and shame to him that refuseth instruction: but he that yieldeth to reproof shall be glorified.


Ver. 18. To him. Heb. "destroy discipline," so that the most wretched are often noted for immorality. Sept. "instruction takes away poverty," as "the whole earth supports the man that has a trade," τεχνιον, according to the Greek proverb. C.

Πενίαν καὶ ἀτιμίαν ἀφαιρεῖται παιδεία, ὁ δὲ φυλάσσων ἐλέγχους δοξασθήσεται.
רֵ֣ישׁ וְ֭/קָלוֹן פּוֹרֵ֣עַ מוּסָ֑ר וְ/שׁוֹמֵ֖ר תּוֹכַ֣חַת יְכֻבָּֽד
13:19 Desiderium si compleatur delectat animam ; detestantur stulti eos qui fugiunt mala.
*H The desire that is accomplished, delighteth the soul: fools hate them that flee from evil things.


Ver. 19. That is. Sept. "of the pious, but the works of the impious are far from knowledge." H.

Ἐπιθυμίαι εὐσεβῶν ἡδύνουσι ψυχὴν, ἔργα δὲ ἀσεβῶν μακρὰν ἀπὸ γνώσεως.
תַּאֲוָ֣ה נִ֭הְיָה תֶּעֱרַ֣ב לְ/נָ֑פֶשׁ וְ/תוֹעֲבַ֥ת כְּ֝סִילִ֗ים ס֣וּר מֵ/רָֽע
13:20 Qui cum sapientibus graditur sapiens erit ; amicus stultorum similis efficietur.]
*H He that walketh with the wise, shall be wise: a friend of fools shall become like to them.


Ver. 20. Become. Sept. "be known." A person's disposition may be seen by the company which he frequents.

Συμπορευόμενος σοφοῖς σοφὸς ἔσῃ, ὁ δὲ συμπορευόμενος ἄφροσι γνωσθήσεται.
הלוך הוֹלֵ֣ךְ אֶת חֲכָמִ֣ים ו/חכם יֶחְכָּ֑ם וְ/רֹעֶ֖ה כְסִילִ֣ים יֵרֽוֹעַ
13:21 [Peccatores persequitur malum, et justis retribuentur bona.
Evil pursueth sinners: and to the just good shall be repaid.
Ἁμαρτάνοντας καταδιώξεται κακὰ, τοὺς δὲ δικαίους καταλήψεται ἀγαθά.
חַ֭טָּאִים תְּרַדֵּ֣ף רָעָ֑ה וְ/אֶת צַ֝דִּיקִ֗ים יְשַׁלֶּם טֽוֹב
13:22 Bonus reliquit haeredes filios et nepotes, et custoditur justo substantia peccatoris.
*H The good man leaveth heirs, sons, and grandsons: and the substance of the sinner is kept for the just.


Ver. 22. Heirs. This was more observable under the old law: yet we often see the distress to which the unjust are exposed. De male quæsitis non gaudet tertius hæres. C.

Ἀγαθὸς ἀνὴρ κληρονομήσει υἱοὺς υἱῶν, θησαυρίζεται δὲ δικαίοις πλοῦτος ἀσεβῶν.
ט֗וֹב יַנְחִ֥יל בְּנֵֽי בָנִ֑ים וְ/צָפ֥וּן לַ֝/צַּדִּ֗יק חֵ֣יל חוֹטֵֽא
13:23 Multi cibi in novalibus patrum, et aliis congregantur absque judicio.
*H Much food is in the tillage of fathers: but for others it is gathered without judgment.


Ver. 23. Fathers. Heirs often lose their property by their misconduct. Heb. and (H.) Chal. read, "of the poor," who till their land better than those who have too large farms. M. — Nature requires but little. C. — Sept. "the just shall spend many years in affluence: but the unjust are cut off at once." H.

Δίκαιοι ποιήσουσιν ἐν πλούτῳ ἔτη πολλὰ, ἄδικοι δὲ ἀπολοῦνται συντόμως.
רָב אֹ֭כֶל נִ֣יר רָאשִׁ֑ים וְ/יֵ֥שׁ נִ֝סְפֶּ֗ה בְּ/לֹ֣א מִשְׁפָּֽט
13:24 Qui parcit virgae odit filium suum ; qui autem diligit illum instanter erudit.
*H He that spareth the rod, hateth his son: but he that loveth him, correcteth him betimes.


Ver. 24. Betimes. God has always treated his friends in this manner, to preserve them from sin, or to increase their reward. C.

Ὃς φείδεται τῆς βακτηρίας, μισεῖ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ὁ δὲ ἀγαπῶν, ἐπιμελῶς παιδεύει.
חוֹשֵׂ֣ךְ שִׁ֭בְט/וֹ שׂוֹנֵ֣א בְנ֑/וֹ וְ֝/אֹהֲב֗/וֹ שִֽׁחֲר֥/וֹ מוּסָֽר
* Summa
*S Part 3, Ques 65, Article 2

[II-II, Q. 65, Art. 2]

Whether It Is Lawful for Parents to Strike Their Children, or Masters Their Slaves?

Objection 1: It would seem unlawful for parents to strike their children, or masters their slaves. For the Apostle says (Eph. 6:4): "You, fathers, provoke not your children to anger"; and further on (Eph. 9:6): "And you, masters, do the same thing to your slaves [Vulg.: 'to them'] forbearing threatenings." Now some are provoked to anger by blows, and become more troublesome when threatened. Therefore neither should parents strike their children, nor masters their slaves.

Obj. 2: Further, the Philosopher says (Ethic. x, 9) that "a father's words are admonitory and not coercive." Now blows are a kind of coercion. Therefore it is unlawful for parents to strike their children.

Obj. 3: Further, everyone is allowed to impart correction, for this belongs to the spiritual almsdeeds, as stated above (Q. 32, A. 2). If, therefore, it is lawful for parents to strike their children for the sake of correction, for the same reason it will be lawful for any person to strike anyone, which is clearly false. Therefore the same conclusion follows.

_On the contrary,_ It is written (Prov. 13:24): "He that spareth the rod hateth his son," and further on (Prov. 23:13): "Withhold not correction from a child, for if thou strike him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and deliver his soul from hell." Again it is written (Ecclus. 33:28): "Torture and fetters are for a malicious slave."

_I answer that,_ Harm is done a body by striking it, yet not so as when it is maimed: since maiming destroys the body's integrity, while a blow merely affects the sense with pain, wherefore it causes much less harm than cutting off a member. Now it is unlawful to do a person a harm, except by way of punishment in the cause of justice. Again, no man justly punishes another, except one who is subject to his jurisdiction. Therefore it is not lawful for a man to strike another, unless he have some power over the one whom he strikes. And since the child is subject to the power of the parent, and the slave to the power of his master, a parent can lawfully strike his child, and a master his slave that instruction may be enforced by correction.

Reply Obj. 1: Since anger is a desire for vengeance, it is aroused chiefly when a man deems himself unjustly injured, as the Philosopher states (Rhet. ii). Hence when parents are forbidden to provoke their children to anger, they are not prohibited from striking their children for the purpose of correction, but from inflicting blows on them without moderation. The command that masters should forbear from threatening their slaves may be understood in two ways. First that they should be slow to threaten, and this pertains to the moderation of correction; secondly, that they should not always carry out their threats, that is that they should sometimes by a merciful forgiveness temper the judgment whereby they threatened punishment.

Reply Obj. 2: The greater power should exercise the greater coercion. Now just as a city is a perfect community, so the governor of a city has perfect coercive power: wherefore he can inflict irreparable punishments such as death and mutilation. On the other hand the father and the master who preside over the family household, which is an imperfect community, have imperfect coercive power, which is exercised by inflicting lesser punishments, for instance by blows, which do not inflict irreparable harm.

Reply Obj. 3: It is lawful for anyone to impart correction to a willing subject. But to impart it to an unwilling subject belongs to those only who have charge over him. To this pertains chastisement by blows. _______________________

THIRD

*S Part 3, Ques 108, Article 2

[II-II, Q. 108, Art. 2]

Whether Vengeance Is a Special Virtue?

Objection 1: It seems that vengeance is not a special and distinct virtue. For just as the good are rewarded for their good deeds, so are the wicked punished for their evil deeds. Now the rewarding of the good does not belong to a special virtue, but is an act of commutative justice. Therefore in the same way vengeance should not be accounted a special virtue.

Obj. 2: Further, there is no need to appoint a special virtue for an act to which a man is sufficiently disposed by the other virtues. Now man is sufficiently disposed by the virtues of fortitude or zeal to avenge evil. Therefore vengeance should not be reckoned a special virtue.

Obj. 3: Further, there is a special vice opposed to every special virtue. But seemingly no special vice is opposed to vengeance. Therefore it is not a special virtue.

_On the contrary,_ Tully (De Invent. Rhet. ii) reckons it a part of justice.

_I answer that,_ As the Philosopher states (Ethic. ii, 1), aptitude to virtue is in us by nature, but the complement of virtue is in us through habituation or some other cause. Hence it is evident that virtues perfect us so that we follow in due manner our natural inclinations, which belong to the natural right. Wherefore to every definite natural inclination there corresponds a special virtue. Now there is a special inclination of nature to remove harm, for which reason animals have the irascible power distinct from the concupiscible. Man resists harm by defending himself against wrongs, lest they be inflicted on him, or he avenges those which have already been inflicted on him, with the intention, not of harming, but of removing the harm done. And this belongs to vengeance, for Tully says (De Invent. Rhet. ii) that by "vengeance we resist force, or wrong, and in general whatever is obscure" [*_Obscurum._ Cicero wrote _obfuturum_ but the sense is the same as St. Thomas gives in the parenthesis] "(i.e. derogatory), either by self-defense or by avenging it." Therefore vengeance is a special virtue.

Reply Obj. 1: Just as repayment of a legal debt belongs to commutative justice, and as repayment of a moral debt, arising from the bestowal of a particular favor, belongs to the virtue of gratitude, so too the punishment of sins, so far as it is the concern of public justice, is an act of commutative justice; while so far as it is concerned in defending the rights of the individual by whom a wrong is resisted, it belongs to the virtue of revenge.

Reply Obj. 2: Fortitude disposes to vengeance by removing an obstacle thereto, namely, fear of an imminent danger. Zeal, as denoting the fervor of love, signifies the primary root of vengeance, in so far as a man avenges the wrong done to God and his neighbor, because charity makes him regard them as his own. Now every act of virtue proceeds from charity as its root, since, according to Gregory (Hom. xxvii in Ev.), "there are no green leaves on the bough of good works, unless charity be the root."

Reply Obj. 3: Two vices are opposed to vengeance: one by way of excess, namely, the sin of cruelty or brutality, which exceeds the measure in punishing: while the other is a vice by way of deficiency and consists in being remiss in punishing, wherefore it is written (Prov. 13:24): "He that spareth the rod hateth his son." But the virtue of vengeance consists in observing the due measure of vengeance with regard to all the circumstances. _______________________

THIRD

13:25 Justus comedit et replet animam suam ; venter autem impiorum insaturabilis.]
The just eateth and filleth his soul: but the belly of the wicked is never to be filled.
Δίκαιος ἔσθων ἐμπιπλᾷ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ, ψυχαὶ δὲ ἀσεβῶν ἐνδεεῖς.
צַדִּ֗יק אֹ֭כֵל לְ/שֹׂ֣בַע נַפְשׁ֑/וֹ וּ/בֶ֖טֶן רְשָׁעִ֣ים תֶּחְסָֽר
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