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Objection 1: It would seem that the three aureoles of virgins,
martyrs, and doctors are unfittingly assigned. For the aureole of
martyrs corresponds to their virtue of fortitude, the aureole of
virgins to the virtue of temperance, and the aureole of doctors to the
virtue of prudence. Therefore it seems that there should be a fourth
aureole corresponding to the virtue of justice.
Objection 2: Further, a gloss on Ex. 25:25: "A polished
crown, etc. says that a golden [aurea] crown is added, when the
Gospel promises eternal life to those who keep the commandments: 'If
thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments' (Mt.
19:17). To this is added the little golden crown [aureola]
when it is said: 'If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell all that thou
hast, and give to the poor'" (Mt. 19:21). Therefore an
aureole is due to poverty.
Objection 3: Further, a man subjects himself wholly to God by the
vow of obedience: wherefore the greatest perfection consists in the vow
of obedience. Therefore it would seem that an aureole is due thereto.
Objection 4: Further, there are also many other works of
supererogation in which one will rejoice in the life to come.
Therefore there are many aureoles besides the aforesaid three.
Objection 5: Further, just as a man spreads the faith by preaching
and teaching, so does he by publishing written works. Therefore a
fourth aureole is due to those who do this.
I answer that, An aureole is an exceptional reward corresponding to
an exceptional victory: wherefore the three aureoles are assigned in
accordance with the exceptional victories in the three conflicts which
beset every man. For in the conflict with the flesh, he above all
wins the victory who abstains altogether from sexual pleasures which are
the chief of this kind; and such is a virgin. Wherefore an aureole is
due to virginity. In the conflict with the world, the chief victory
is to suffer the world's persecution even until death: wherefore the
second aureole is due to martyrs who win the victory in this battle.
In the conflict with the devil, the chief victory is to expel the
enemy not only from oneself but also from the hearts of others: this is
done by teaching and preaching, and consequently the third aureole is
due to doctors and preachers.
Some, however, distinguish the three aureoles in accordance with the
three powers of the soul, by saying that the three aureoles correspond
to the three chief acts of the soul's three highest powers. For the
act of the rational power is to publish the truth of faith even to
others, and to this act the aureole of doctors is due: the highest act
of the irascible power is to overcome even death for Christ's sake,
and to this act the aureole of martyrs is due: and the highest act of
the concupiscible power is to abstain altogether from the greatest
carnal pleasures, and to this act the aureole of virgins is due.
Others again, distinguish the three aureoles in accordance with those
things whereby we are most signally conformed to Christ. For He was
the mediator between the Father and the world. Hence He was a
doctor, by manifesting to the world the truth which He had received
from the Father; He was a martyr, by suffering the persecution of
the world; and He was a virgin, by His personal purity. Wherefore
doctors, martyrs and virgins are most perfectly conformed to Him: and
for this reason an aureole is due to them.
Reply to Objection 1: There is no conflict to be observed in the
act of justice as in the acts of the other virtues. Nor is it true
that to teach is an act of prudence: in fact rather is it an act of
charity or mercy---inasmuch as it is by such like habits that we are
inclined to the practice of such an act---or again of wisdom, as
directing it.
We may also reply, with others, that justice embraces all the
virtues, wherefore a special aureole is not due to it.
Reply to Objection 2: Although poverty is a work of perfection, it
does not take the highest place in a spiritual conflict, because the
love of temporalities assails a man less than carnal concupiscence or
persecution whereby his own body is broken. Hence an aureole is not
due to poverty; but judicial power by reason of the humiliation
consequent upon poverty. The gloss quoted takes aureole in the broad
sense for any reward given for excellent merit.
We reply in the same way to the Third and Fourth Objections.
Reply to Objection 5: An aureole is due to those who commit the
sacred doctrine to writing: but it is not distinct from the aureole of
doctors, since the compiling of writing is a way of teaching.
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