Reply Obj. 1:  Experience in matters pertaining to action not only produces knowledge; it also causes a certain habit, by reason of custom, which renders the action easier.  Moreover, the intellectual virtue itself adds to the power of acting with ease:  because it shows something to be possible; and thus is a cause of hope.

Reply Obj. 2:  The old are wanting in hope because of their experience, in so far as experience makes them think something impossible.  Hence he adds (Rhet. ii, 13) that “many evils have befallen them.”

Reply Obj. 3:  Folly and inexperience can be a cause of hope accidentally as it were, by removing the knowledge which would help one to judge truly a thing to be impossible.  Wherefore inexperience is a cause of hope, for the same reason as experience causes lack of hope. ________________________

SIXTH ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 40, Art. 6]

Whether Hope Abounds in Young Men and Drunkards?

Objection 1:  It would seem that youth and drunkenness are not causes of hope.  Because hope implies certainty and steadiness; so much so that it is compared to an anchor (Heb. 6:19).  But young men and drunkards are wanting in steadiness; since their minds are easily changed.  Therefore youth and drunkenness are not causes of hope.

Obj. 2:  Further, as stated above (A. 5), the cause of hope is chiefly whatever increases one’s power.  But youth and drunkenness are united to weakness.  Therefore they are not causes of hope.

Obj. 3:  Further, experience is a cause of hope, as stated above (A. 5).  But youth lacks experience.  Therefore it is not a cause of hope.

On the contrary, The Philosopher says (Ethic. iii, 8) that “drunken men are hopeful”:  and (Rhet. ii, 12) that “the young are full of hope.”

I answer that, Youth is a cause of hope for three reasons, as the Philosopher states in Rhet. ii, 12:  and these three reasons may be gathered from the three conditions of the good which is the object of hope—­namely, that it is future, arduous and possible, as stated above (A. 1).  For youth has much of the future before it, and little of the past:  and therefore since memory is of the past, and hope of the future, it has little to remember and lives very much in hope.  Again, youths, on account of the heat of their nature, are full of spirit; so that their heart expands:  and it is owing to the heart being expanded that one tends to that which is arduous; wherefore youths are spirited and hopeful.  Likewise they who have not suffered defeat, nor had experience of obstacles to their efforts, are prone to count a thing possible to them.  Wherefore youths, through inexperience of obstacles and of their own shortcomings, easily count a thing possible; and consequently are of good hope.  Two of these causes are also in those who are in drink—­viz. heat and high spirits, on account of wine, and heedlessness of dangers and shortcomings.  For the same reason all foolish and thoughtless persons attempt everything and are full of hope.