The "Summa Theologica" of St. Thomas Aquinas (Volume 2, V. 2, No. 1) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1917. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... QUESTION XXX. OF MERCY.* (In Four Articles.) We must now go on to consider Mercy, under which head there are four points of inquiry: (1) Whether evil is the cause of mercy on the part of the person pitied? (2) To whom does it belong to pity? (3) Whether mercy is a . virtue? (4) Whether it is the greatest of virtues? First Article. Whether Evil Is Properly The Motive Of Mercy? We proceed thus to the First Article: -- Objection 1. It seems that, properly speaking, evil is not the motive of mercy. For, as shown above (Q. XIX., A. 1: I.-II., Q. LXXIX., A. 1, ad 4: P. I., Q. XLVIIL, A. 6), fault is an evil rather than punishment. Now fault provokes indignation rather than mercy. Therefore evil does not excite mercy. Obj. 2. Further, Cruelty and harshness seem to excel other evils. Now the Philosopher says (Rhet. ii.) that harshness does not call for pity but drives it away. Therefore evil, as such, is not the motive of mercy. Obj. 3. Further, Signs of evils are not true evils. But signs of evils excite one to mercy, as the Philosopher states (Rhet. ii.). Therefore evil, properly speaking, is not an incentive to mercy. * The one Latin word misericordia signifies either pity or mercy. The distinction between these two is that pity may stand either for the act or for the virtue, whereas mercy stands only for the virtue. On the contrary, Damascene says (De Fide Orthod. ii.) that mercy is a kind of sorrow. Now evil is the motive of sorrow. Therefore it is the motive of mercy. / answer that, As Augustine says (De Civ. Dei ix.), mercy is heartfelt sympathy for another's distress, impelling us to succour him if we can. For mercy takes its name misericordia from denoting a man's.compassionate heart (miserum cor) for another's unhappiness. Now unhappiness is opposed to happine...