Summa contra Gentiles3.30 Chapter XXX. That man’s happiness does not consist in wealth

Hence it is evident that neither is wealth man’s supreme good. For wealth is not sought except for the sake of something else: because of itself it brings us no good, but only when we use it, whether for the support of the body, or for some similar purpose. Now the supreme good is sought for its own, and not for another’s sake. Therefore wealth is not man’s supreme good, Again. Man’s supreme good cannot consist in the possession or preservation of things whose chief advantage for man consists in their being spent. Now the chief advantage of wealth is in its being spent; for this is its use. Therefore the possession of wealth cannot be man’s supreme good.

Moreover. Acts of virtue deserve praise according as they lead to happiness.’ Now acts of liberality and magnificence which are concerned with money, are deserving of praise, on account of money being spent, rather than on account of its being kept: and it is from this that these virtues derive their names.” Therefore man’s happiness does not consist in the possession of wealth.

Besides, Man’s supreme good must consist in obtaining something better than man. But man is better than wealth: since it is something directed to man’s use. Therefore not in wealth does man’s supreme good consist.

Further. Man’s supreme good is not subject to chance. For things that happen by chance, escape the forethought of reason: whereas man has to attain his own end by means of his reason. But chance occupies the greater place in the attaining of wealth. Therefore human happiness consists not in wealth.

of Ferrariensis, who for magnificence reads muntficence, which is derived from munus, a gift.)

_ Moreover. This is evident from the fact that wealth is lost unwillingly. Also because wealth can come into the posses- sion of evil persons, who, of necessity, must lack the sovereign good. Again because wealth is unstable. Other similar reasons can be gathered from the arguments given above.’