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Objection 1: It would seem that one man cannot be happier than
another. For Happiness is "the reward of virtue," as the
Philosopher says (Ethic. i, 9). But equal reward is given for
all the works of virtue; because it is written (Mt. 20:10)
that all who labor in the vineyard "received every man a penny";
for, as Gregory says (Hom. xix in Evang.), "each was equally
rewarded with eternal life." Therefore one man cannot be happier than
another.
Objection 2: Further, Happiness is the supreme good. But nothing
can surpass the supreme. Therefore one man's Happiness cannot be
surpassed by another's.
Objection 3: Further, since Happiness is "the perfect and
sufficient good" (Ethic. i, 7) it brings rest to man's desire.
But his desire is not at rest, if he yet lacks some good that can be
got. And if he lack nothing that he can get, there can be no still
greater good. Therefore either man is not happy; or, if he be
happy, no other Happiness can be greater.
On the contrary, It is written (Jn. 14:2): "In My
Father's house there are many mansions"; which, according to
Augustine (Tract. lxvii in Joan.) signify "the diverse dignities
of merits in the one eternal life." But the dignity of eternal life
which is given according to merit, is Happiness itself. Therefore
there are diverse degrees of Happiness, and Happiness is not equally
in all.
I answer that, As stated above (Question 1, Article 8;
Question 2, Article 7), Happiness implies two things, to wit,
the last end itself, i.e. the Sovereign Good; and the attainment
or enjoyment of that same Good. As to that Good itself, Which is
the object and cause of Happiness, one Happiness cannot be greater
than another, since there is but one Sovereign Good, namely, God,
by enjoying Whom, men are made happy. But as to the attainment or
enjoyment of this Good, one man can be happier than another; because
the more a man enjoys this Good the happier he is. Now, that one man
enjoys God more than another, happens through his being better
disposed or ordered to the enjoyment of Him. And in this sense one
man can be happier than another.
Reply to Objection 1: The one penny signifies that Happiness is
one in its object. But the many mansions signify the manifold
Happiness in the divers degrees of enjoyment.
Reply to Objection 2: Happiness is said to be the supreme good,
inasmuch as it is the perfect possession or enjoyment of the Supreme
Good.
Reply to Objection 3: None of the Blessed lacks any desirable
good; since they have the Infinite Good Itself, Which is "the
good of all good," as Augustine says (Enarr. in Ps. 134).
But one is said to be happier than another, by reason of diverse
participation of the same good. And the addition of other goods does
not increase Happiness, since Augustine says (Confess. v, 4):
"He who knows Thee, and others besides, is not the happier for
knowing them, but is happy for knowing Thee alone."
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