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Objection 1: It would seem that the gift of counsel does not
fittingly correspond to the virtue of prudence. For "the highest
point of that which is underneath touches that which is above," as
Dionysius observes (Div. Nom. vii), even as a man comes into
contact with the angel in respect of his intellect. Now cardinal
virtues are inferior to the gifts, as stated above (FS, Question
68, Article 8). Since, then, counsel is the first and lowest
act of prudence, while command is its highest act, and judgment comes
between, it seems that the gift corresponding to prudence is not
counsel, but rather a gift of judgment or command.
Objection 2: Further, one gift suffices to help one virtue, since
the higher a thing is the more one it is, as proved in De Causis.
Now prudence is helped by the gift of knowledge, which is not only
speculative but also practical, as shown above (Question 9,
Article 3). Therefore the gift of counsel does not correspond to
the virtue of prudence.
Objection 3: Further, it belongs properly to prudence to direct,
as stated above (Question 47, Article 8). But it belongs to
the gift of counsel that man should be directed by God, as stated
above (Article 1). Therefore the gift of counsel does not
correspond to the virtue of prudence.
On the contrary, The gift of counsel is about what has to be done for
the sake of the end. Now prudence is about the same matter.
Therefore they correspond to one another.
I answer that, A lower principle of movement is helped chiefly, and
is perfected through being moved by a higher principle of movement, as
a body through being moved by a spirit. Now it is evident that the
rectitude of human reason is compared to the Divine Reason, as a
lower motive principle to a higher: for the Eternal Reason is the
supreme rule of all human rectitude. Consequently prudence, which
denotes rectitude of reason, is chiefly perfected and helped through
being ruled and moved by the Holy Ghost, and this belongs to the gift
of counsel, as stated above (Article 1). Therefore the gift of
counsel corresponds to prudence, as helping and perfecting it.
Reply to Objection 1: To judge and command belongs not to the thing
moved, but to the mover. Wherefore, since in the gifts of the Holy
Ghost, the position of the human mind is of one moved rather than of a
mover, as stated above (Article 1; FS, Question 68, Article
1), it follows that it would be unfitting to call the gift
corresponding to prudence by the name of command or judgment rather than
of counsel whereby it is possible to signify that the counselled mind is
moved by another counselling it.
Reply to Objection 2: The gift of knowledge does not directly
correspond to prudence, since it deals with speculative matters: yet
by a kind of extension it helps it. On the other hand the gift of
counsel corresponds to prudence directly, because it is concerned about
the same things.
Reply to Objection 3: The mover that is moved, moves through being
moved. Hence the human mind, from the very fact that it is directed
by the Holy Ghost, is enabled to direct itself and others.
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