Monday, October 05, 2009

1a 2ae q4 a6: Whether perfection of the body is necessary for happiness? Yes.

Bona dispositio corporis requiritur ad beatitudinem quia cum naturale sit animae corpori uniri, non potest esse quod perfectio animae naturalem eius perfectionem excludat.

Good disposition of the body is necessary for Happiness because since it is natural to the soul to be united to the body, it is not possible for the perfection of the soul to exclude its natural perfection.

Ad perfectam operationem intellectus requiritur quidem abstractio ab hoc corruptibili corpore, quod aggravat animam, non autem a corpore spirituali, quod erit totaliter spiritui subiectum.

The perfect operation of the intellect requires indeed that the intellect be abstracted from this corruptible body which weighs upon the soul, but not from the spiritual body, which will be wholly subject to the spirit.

Etsi corpus nihil conferat ad illam operationem intellectus qua Dei essentia videtur, tamen posset ab hac impedire. Et ideo requiritur perfectio corporis, ut non impediat elevationem mentis.

Although the body has not part in that operation of the intellect whereby the Essence of God is seen, yet it might prove a hindrance thereto. Consequently, perfection of the body is necessary, lest it hinder the mind from being lifted up.

In corporali bono non consistit beatitudo sicut in obiecto beatitudinis, sed corporale bonum potest facere ad aliquem beatitudinis decorem vel perfectionem.

Happiness does not consist in bodily good as its object, but bodily good can add a certain charm and perfection to Happiness.

Si loquamur de beatitudine hominis qualis in hac vita potest haberi, manifestum est quod ad eam ex necessitate requiritur bona dispositio corporis. Consistit enim haec beatitudo, secundum philosophum, "in operatione virtutis perfectae". Manifestum est autem quod per invaletudinem corporis, in omni operatione virtutis homo impediri potest.

If we speak of that happiness which man can acquire in this life, it is evident that a well-disposed body is of necessity required for it. For this happiness consists, according to the Philosopher (Ethic. i, 13) in "an operation according to perfect virtue"; and it is clear that man can be hindered, by indisposition of the body, from every operation of virtue.