“ 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. ”
Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica (1274). copy citation
| Author | Thomas Aquinas |
|---|---|
| Source | Summa Theologica |
| Topic | passion despair |
| Date | 1274 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/17897/pg17897-images.html |
Context
“Therefore sorrow is not more harmful to the body than the other passions of the soul.
Obj. 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.” source
Obj. 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.” source
