“It is implanted in the minds of all who have the
use of reason that the reward of virtue is happiness. The virtue of anything
whatsoever is explained to be that which makes its possessor good and renders
his deed good. Moreover, everyone strives by working well to attain that which
is most deeply implanted in desire, namely, to be happy. This, no one is able
not to wish. It is therefore fitting to expect as a reward for virtue that
which makes man happy. Now, if to work well is a virtuous deed, and the king’s
work is to rule his people well, then that which makes him happy will be the
king’s reward….Happiness, we say, is the ultimate end of our desires. Now the
movement of desire does not go on to infinity else natural desire would be
vain, for infinity cannot be traversed. Since, then, the desire of an
intellectual nature is for universal good, that good alone can make it truly
happy which, when attained, leaves no further good to be desired. Whence
happiness is called the perfect good inasmuch as it comprises in itself all
things desirable. But no earthly good is such a good. They who have riches
desire to have more, they who enjoy pleasure desire to enjoy more, and the like
is clear for the rest: and if they do not seek more, they at least desire that
those they have should abide or that others should follow in their stead. For
nothing permanent is found in earthly things. Consequently there is nothing
earthly which can calm desire. Thus, nothing earthly can make man happy, so
that it may be a fitting reward for a king.”—Doctor of the Church St. Thomas
Aquinas (1225-1274), De Regno (“On Kingship”), translated
by Gerald B. Phelan, revised by I. Th. Eschmann, O.P. (1949)
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