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Objection 1: It seems that ambition is not opposed to magnanimity by
excess. For one mean has only one extreme opposed to it on the one
side. Now presumption is opposed to magnanimity by excess as stated
above (Question 130, Article 2). Therefore ambition is not
opposed to it by excess.
Objection 2: Further, magnanimity is about honors; whereas
ambition seems to regard positions of dignity: for it is written (2
Macc. 4:7) that "Jason ambitiously sought the high
priesthood." Therefore ambition is not opposed to magnanimity.
Objection 3: Further, ambition seems to regard outward show: for
it is written (Acts 25:27) that "Agrippa and Berenice . .
. with great pomp [ambitione]. . . had entered into the hall of
audience" ['Praetorium.' The Vulgate has 'auditorium,' but
the meaning is the same], and (2 Para. 16:14) that when Asa
died they "burned spices and . . . ointments over his body" with
very great pomp [ambitione]. But magnanimity is not about outward
show. Therefore ambition is not opposed to magnanimity.
On the contrary, Tully says (De Offic. i) that "the more a man
exceeds in magnanimity, the more he desires himself alone to dominate
others." But this pertains to ambition. Therefore ambition denotes
an excess of magnanimity.
I answer that, As stated above (Article 1), ambition signifies
inordinate love of honor. Now magnanimity is about honors and makes
use of them in a becoming manner. Wherefore it is evident that
ambition is opposed to magnanimity as the inordinate to that which is
well ordered.
Reply to Objection 1: Magnanimity regards two things. It regards
one as its end, in so far as it is some great deed that the magnanimous
man attempts in proportion to his ability. In this way presumption is
opposed to magnanimity by excess: because the presumptuous man attempts
great deeds beyond his ability. The other thing that magnanimity
regards is its matter, viz. honor, of which it makes right use: and
in this way ambition is opposed to magnanimity by excess. Nor is it
impossible for one mean to be exceeded in various respects.
Reply to Objection 2: Honor is due to those who are in a position
of dignity, on account of a certain excellence of their estate: and
accordingly inordinate desire for positions of dignity pertains to
ambition. For if a man were to have an inordinate desire for a
position of dignity, not for the sake of honor, but for the sake of a
right use of a dignity exceeding his ability, he would not be ambitious
but presumptuous.
Reply to Objection 3: The very solemnity of outward worship is a
kind of honor, wherefore in such cases honor is wont to be shown.
This is signified by the words of James 2:2,3: "If there shall
come into your assembly a man having a golden ring, in fine apparel .
. . and you . . . shall say to him: Sit thou here well," etc.
Wherefore ambition does not regard outward worship, except in so far
as this is a kind of honor.
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