Reply Obj. 1:  As the Philosopher says (Ethic. x, 4) “delight perfects operation as vigor perfects youth,” because it is a result of youth.  Consequently delight is a perfection attendant upon vision; but not a perfection whereby vision is made perfect in its own species.

Reply Obj. 2:  The apprehension of the senses does not attain to the universal good, but to some particular good which is delightful.  And consequently, according to the sensitive appetite which is in animals, operations are sought for the sake of delight.  But the intellect apprehends the universal good, the attainment of which results in delight:  wherefore its purpose is directed to good rather than to delight.  Hence it is that the Divine intellect, which is the Author of nature, adjusted delights to operations on account of the operations.  And we should form our estimate of things not simply according to the order of the sensitive appetite, but rather according to the order of the intellectual appetite.

Reply Obj. 3:  Charity does not seek the beloved good for the sake of delight:  it is for charity a consequence that it delights in the good gained which it loves.  Thus delight does not answer to charity as its end, but vision does, whereby the end is first made present to charity. ________________________

THIRD ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 4, Art. 3]

Whether Comprehension Is Necessary for Happiness?

Objection 1:  It would seem that comprehension is not necessary for happiness.  For Augustine says (Ad Paulinam de Videndo Deum; [Cf.  Serm. xxxciii De Verb.  Dom.]):  “To reach God with the mind is happiness, to comprehend Him is impossible.”  Therefore happiness is without comprehension.

Obj. 2:  Further, happiness is the perfection of man as to his intellective part, wherein there are no other powers than the intellect and will, as stated in the First Part (QQ. 79 and following).  But the intellect is sufficiently perfected by seeing God, and the will by enjoying Him.  Therefore there is no need for comprehension as a third.

Obj. 3:  Further, happiness consists in an operation.  But operations are determined by their objects:  and there are two universal objects, the true and the good:  of which the true corresponds to vision, and good to delight.  Therefore there is no need for comprehension as a third.

On the contrary, The Apostle says (1 Cor. 9:24):  “So run that you may comprehend [Douay:  ’obtain’].”  But happiness is the goal of the spiritual race:  hence he says (2 Tim. 4:7, 8):  “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; as to the rest there is laid up for me a crown of justice.”  Therefore comprehension is necessary for Happiness.