Thomas Aquinas · 200 of 385

Chapter XXXI. That Happiness does not consist in Worldly Power

CHAPTER XXXI—That Happiness does not consist in Worldly Power

A MAN is called good inasmuch as he attains to the sovereign good. But inasmuch as he has power he is not called either good or evil: for he is not good who can do good things, nor is a man evil of being able to do evil things. Therefore the highest good does not consist in being powerful.

3. All power is over another (ad alterum). But the highest good is not over another.