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Objection 1: It would seem that sorrow is not most harmful to the
body. For sorrow has a spiritual existence in the soul. But those
things which have only a spiritual existence do not cause a
transmutation in the body: as is evident with regard to the images of
colors, which images are in the air and do not give color to bodies.
Therefore sorrow is not harmful to the body.
Objection 2: Further if it be harmful to the body, this can only be
due to its having a bodily transmutation in conjunction with it. But
bodily transmutation takes place in all the passions of the soul, as
stated above (Question 22, Articles 1,3). Therefore sorrow
is not more harmful to the body than the other passions of the soul.
Objection 3: Further, the Philosopher says (Ethic. vii, 3)
that "anger and desire drive some to madness": which seems to be a
very great harm, since reason is the most excellent thing in man.
Moreover, despair seems to be more harmful than sorrow; for it is the
cause of sorrow. Therefore sorrow is not more harmful to the body than
the other passions of the soul.
On the contrary, It is written (Prov. 17:22): "A joyful
mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones":
and (Prov. 25:20): "As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm
by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart": and
(Ecclus. 38:19): "Of sadness cometh death."
I answer that, Of all the soul's passions, sorrow is most harmful
to the body. The reason of this is because sorrow is repugnant to
man's life in respect of the species of its movement, and not merely
in respect of its measure or quantity, as is the case with the other
passions of the soul. For man's life consists in a certain movement,
which flows from the heart to the other parts of the body: and this
movement is befitting to human nature according to a certain fixed
measure. Consequently if this movement goes beyond the right measure,
it will be repugnant to man's life in respect of the measure of
quantity; but not in respect of its specific character: whereas if
this movement be hindered in its progress, it will be repugnant to life
in respect of its species.
Now it must be noted that, in all the passions of the soul, the
bodily transmutation which is their material element, is in conformity
with and in proportion to the appetitive movement, which is the formal
element: just as in everything matter is proportionate to form.
Consequently those passions that imply a movement of the appetite in
pursuit of something, are not repugnant to the vital movement as
regards its species, but they may be repugnant thereto as regards its
measure: such are love, joy, desire and the like; wherefore these
passions conduce to the well-being of the body; though, if they be
excessive, they may be harmful to it. On the other hand, those
passions which denote in the appetite a movement of flight or
contraction, are repugnant to the vital movement, not only as regards
its measure, but also as regards its species; wherefore they are
simply harmful: such are fear and despair, and above all sorrow which
depresses the soul by reason of a present evil, which makes a stronger
impression than future evil.
Reply to Objection 1: Since the soul naturally moves the body, the
spiritual movement of the soul is naturally the cause of bodily
transmutation. Nor is there any parallel with spiritual images,
because they are not naturally ordained to move such other bodies as are
not naturally moved by the soul.
Reply to Objection 2: Other passions imply a bodily transmutation
which is specifically in conformity with the vital movement: whereas
sorrow implies a transmutation that is repugnant thereto, as stated
above.
Reply to Objection 3: A lesser cause suffices to hinder the use of
reason, than to destroy life: since we observe that many ailments
deprive one of the use of reason, before depriving one of life.
Nevertheless fear and anger cause very great harm to the body, by
reason of the sorrow which they imply, and which arises from the
absence of the thing desired. Moreover sorrow too sometimes deprives
man of the use of reason: as may be seen in those who through sorrow
become a prey to melancholy or madness.
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