Not everything that is more difficult is more meritorious

Not everything that is more difficult is more meritorious

Thomas Aquinas, a prominent theologian and philosopher of the medieval period, believed in the concept of merit and the importance of striving for excellence in all aspects of life. However, he also recognized that not everything that is more difficult is necessarily more meritorious. In his writings, Aquinas explored the idea that merit is not solely determined by the level of difficulty or effort required to achieve a particular goal.

Aquinas argued that merit is ultimately determined by the alignment of one's actions with the divine will and the pursuit of virtuous behavior. In his view, it is not the level of difficulty that makes an action meritorious, but rather the intention behind it and the moral goodness of the act itself. For Aquinas, a simple act of kindness or charity performed with a pure heart and good intentions may be more meritorious in the eyes of God than a more difficult or challenging task carried out with selfish motives.

In his Summa Theologica, Aquinas discusses the concept of merit in relation to the virtues of faith, hope, and charity. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating these virtues in order to lead a virtuous and fulfilling life. According to Aquinas, true merit comes from living a life guided by these virtues and striving to do what is right in the eyes of God, rather than simply seeking out difficult or challenging tasks for the sake of personal achievement.

Aquinas also believed that merit is not something that can be earned through sheer effort or willpower alone. He emphasized the importance of divine grace in the process of achieving merit, acknowledging that it is ultimately God who enables individuals to perform virtuous acts and earn merit through their actions.