--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So if the ultimate felicity of man does…" description: "\"“So if the ultimate felicity of man does not consist in external things which are called the goods of fortune, nor in the goods of the body, nor in the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c0/thomas-aquinas-837_art_so-if-the-ultimate-felicity-of-man-does_2606534.jpg" --- # So if the ultimate felicity of man does not consist in… ![“So if the ultimate felicity of man does not consist in external things which are called the goods of fortune, nor in the goods of the body, nor in the goods of the soul according to its sensitive part, nor as regards the intellective part according to the activity of the moral virtues, nor…” quote by Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c0/thomas-aquinas-837_art_so-if-the-ultimate-felicity-of-man-does_2606534.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c0/thomas-aquinas-837_art_so-if-the-ultimate-felicity-of-man-does_2606534.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c0/thomas-aquinas-837_art_so-if-the-ultimate-felicity-of-man-does_2606534.jpg) > ““So if the ultimate felicity of man does not consist in external things which are called the goods of fortune, nor in the goods of the body, nor in the goods of the soul according to its sensitive part, nor as regards the intellective part according to the activity of the moral virtues, nor according to the intellectual virtues that are concerned with action, that is art and prudence – we are left with the conclusion that the ultimate felicity of man lies the contemplation of truth.”” [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True happiness stems from contemplating truth, not material or bodily goods, aligning with intellectual virtue. **In simple terms:** Truth brings happiness. Key Takeaway Seek truth, not wealth. Themes philosophy virtue truth Mood contemplative serious Type philosophical theological When to use this quote - academic study - meditation - ethical decision‑making - spiritual practice Key Concepts ethics metaphysics Questions to Reflect On - What truth guides you? - How do you balance intellect and emotion? A Different Perspective Intellectual pursuit can be isolating. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Contemplation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplation/) [Contemplation Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplation-truth-895297/) [Felicity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felicity/) [Fortune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fortune/) [Intellectual Virtues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual-virtues-1117465/) [Lies Contemplation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lies-contemplation-1991904/) [Prudence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prudence/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Virtues According](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtues-according-1991905/) ## Related quotes > [Woman ... is the divine object, violated, endlessly sacrificed yet always reborn, whose only joy, achieved through a subtle interplay of images, lies in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-desclos/woman-is-the-divine-object-violated-endlessly-sacrificed-yet-always/) [Anne Desclos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-desclos/) > [Moral virtues and intellectual virtues are very different from each other, and moral virtue has to do with motivation, not cognition. 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