I answer that, As stated above (Q. 1, A. 8; Q. 2, A. 7), Happiness implies two things, to wit, the last end itself, i.e. the Sovereign Good; and the attainment or enjoyment of that same Good.  As to that Good itself, Which is the object and cause of Happiness, one Happiness cannot be greater than another, since there is but one Sovereign Good, namely, God, by enjoying Whom, men are made happy.  But as to the attainment or enjoyment of this Good, one man can be happier than another; because the more a man enjoys this Good the happier he is.  Now, that one man enjoys God more than another, happens through his being better disposed or ordered to the enjoyment of Him.  And in this sense one man can be happier than another.

Reply Obj. 1:  The one penny signifies that Happiness is one in its object.  But the many mansions signify the manifold Happiness in the divers degrees of enjoyment.

Reply Obj. 2:  Happiness is said to be the supreme good, inasmuch as it is the perfect possession or enjoyment of the Supreme Good.

Reply Obj. 3:  None of the Blessed lacks any desirable good; since they have the Infinite Good Itself, Which is “the good of all good,” as Augustine says (Enarr. in Ps. 134).  But one is said to be happier than another, by reason of diverse participation of the same good.  And the addition of other goods does not increase Happiness, since Augustine says (Confess. v, 4):  “He who knows Thee, and others besides, is not the happier for knowing them, but is happy for knowing Thee alone.” ________________________

THIRD ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 5, Art. 3]

Whether One Can Be Happy in This Life?

Objection 1:  It would seem that Happiness can be had in this life.  For it is written (Ps. 118:1):  “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.”  But this happens in this life.  Therefore one can be happy in this life.

Obj. 2:  Further, imperfect participation in the Sovereign Good does not destroy the nature of Happiness, otherwise one would not be happier than another.  But men can participate in the Sovereign Good in this life, by knowing and loving God, albeit imperfectly.  Therefore man can be happy in this life.

Obj. 3:  Further, what is said by many cannot be altogether false:  since what is in many, comes, apparently, from nature; and nature does not fail altogether.  Now many say that Happiness can be had in this life, as appears from Ps. 143:15:  “They have called the people happy that hath these things,” to wit, the good things in this life.  Therefore one can be happy in this life.

On the contrary, It is written (Job 14:1):  “Man born of a woman, living for a short time, is filled with many miseries.”  But Happiness excludes misery.  Therefore man cannot be happy in this life.

I answer that, A certain participation of Happiness can be had in this life:  but perfect and true Happiness cannot be had in this life.  This may be seen from a twofold consideration.