Reply Obj. 1:  The rational exceeds the sensitive nature, otherwise than the intellectual surpasses the rational.  For the rational exceeds the sensitive nature in respect of the object of its knowledge:  since the senses have no knowledge whatever of the universal, whereas the reason has knowledge thereof.  But the intellectual surpasses the rational nature, as to the mode of knowing the same intelligible truth:  for the intellectual nature grasps forthwith the truth which the rational nature reaches by the inquiry of reason, as was made clear in the First Part (Q. 58, A. 3; Q. 79, A. 8).  Therefore reason arrives by a kind of movement at that which the intellect grasps.  Consequently the rational nature can attain Happiness, which is the perfection of the intellectual nature:  but otherwise than the angels.  Because the angels attained it forthwith after the beginning of their creation:  whereas man attains if after a time.  But the sensitive nature can nowise attain this end.

Reply Obj. 2:  To man in the present state of life the natural way of knowing intelligible truth is by means of phantasms.  But after this state of life, he has another natural way, as was stated in the First Part (Q. 84, A. 7; Q. 89, A. 1).

Reply Obj. 3:  Man cannot surmount the angels in the degree of nature so as to be above them naturally.  But he can surmount them by an operation of the intellect, by understanding that there is above the angels something that makes men happy; and when he has attained it, he will be perfectly happy. ________________________

SECOND ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 5, Art. 2]

Whether One Man Can Be Happier Than Another?

Objection 1:  It would seem that one man cannot be happier than another.  For Happiness is “the reward of virtue,” as the Philosopher says (Ethic. i, 9).  But equal reward is given for all the works of virtue; because it is written (Matt. 20:10) that all who labor in the vineyard “received every man a penny”; for, as Gregory says (Hom. xix in Evang.), “each was equally rewarded with eternal life.”  Therefore one man cannot be happier than another.

Obj. 2:  Further, Happiness is the supreme good.  But nothing can surpass the supreme.  Therefore one man’s Happiness cannot be surpassed by another’s.

Obj. 3:  Further, since Happiness is “the perfect and sufficient good” (Ethic. i, 7) it brings rest to man’s desire.  But his desire is not at rest, if he yet lacks some good that can be got.  And if he lack nothing that he can get, there can be no still greater good.  Therefore either man is not happy; or, if he be happy, no other Happiness can be greater.

On the contrary, It is written (John 14:2):  “In My Father’s house there are many mansions”; which, according to Augustine (Tract. lxvii in Joan.) signify “the diverse dignities of merits in the one eternal life.”  But the dignity of eternal life which is given according to merit, is Happiness itself.  Therefore there are diverse degrees of Happiness, and Happiness is not equally in all.