Obj. 3:  Further, among the executive gifts connected with the active life, fear is said to be connected with poverty, while piety seems to correspond to the beatitude of mercy:  yet nothing is included directly connected with justice.  Therefore the beatitudes are insufficiently enumerated.

Obj. 4:  Further, many other beatitudes are mentioned in Holy Writ.  Thus, it is written (Job 5:17):  “Blessed is the man whom God correcteth”; and (Ps. i, 1):  “Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly”; and (Prov. 3:13):  “Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom.”  Therefore the beatitudes are insufficiently enumerated.

Obj. 5:  On the other hand, it seems that too many are mentioned.  For there are seven gifts of the Holy Ghost:  whereas eight beatitudes are indicated.

Obj. 6:  Further, only four beatitudes are indicated in the sixth chapter of Luke.  Therefore the seven or eight mentioned in Matthew 5 are too many.

I answer that, These beatitudes are most suitably enumerated.  To make this evident it must be observed that beatitude has been held to consist in one of three things:  for some have ascribed it to a sensual life, some, to an active life, and some, to a contemplative life [See Q. 3].  Now these three kinds of happiness stand in different relations to future beatitude, by hoping for which we are said to be happy.  Because sensual happiness, being false and contrary to reason, is an obstacle to future beatitude; while happiness of the active life is a disposition of future beatitude; and contemplative happiness, if perfect, is the very essence of future beatitude, and, if imperfect, is a beginning thereof.

And so Our Lord, in the first place, indicated certain beatitudes as removing the obstacle of sensual happiness.  For a life of pleasure consists of two things.  First, in the affluence of external goods, whether riches or honors; from which man is withdrawn—­by a virtue so that he uses them in moderation—­and by a gift, in a more excellent way, so that he despises them altogether.  Hence the first beatitude is:  “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” which may refer either to the contempt of riches, or to the contempt of honors, which results from humility.  Secondly, the sensual life consists in following the bent of one’s passions, whether irascible or concupiscible.  From following the irascible passions man is withdrawn—­by a virtue, so that they are kept within the bounds appointed by the ruling of reason—­and by a gift, in a more excellent manner, so that man, according to God’s will, is altogether undisturbed by them:  hence the second beatitude is:  “Blessed are the meek.”  From following the concupiscible passions, man is withdrawn—­by a virtue, so that man uses these passions in moderation—­and by a gift, so that, if necessary, he casts them aside altogether; nay more, so that, if need be, he makes a deliberate choice of sorrow [Cf.  Q. 35, A. 3]; hence the third beatitude is:  “Blessed are they that mourn.”