Summa contra Gentiles3.32 Chapter XXXII. That happiness consists not in goods of the body

Like arguments avail to prove that man’s supreme good does not consist in goods of the body, such as health, beauty and strength. For they are common to good and evil: and are unstable: and are not subject to the will.

Besides. The soul is better than the body, which neither lives, nor possesses these goods, without the soul. Wherefore the soul’s good, such as understanding and the like, is better than the body’s good. Therefore the body’s good is not man’s supreme good.

Again. These goods are common to man and other animals: whereas happiness is a good propertoman. Therefore man’s happiness does not consist in the things mentioned. Moreover. Many animals surpass man in goods of the body: for some are fleeter than he, some more sturdy, and soon. Accordingly, ifman’s supreme good consisted in these things, man would not excel all animals: which is clearly untrue. Therefore human happiness does not consist in goods of the body.