“Not everything that is more difficult is more meritorious.”
- 1225 – March 7, 1274
- Born in the Kingdom of Sicily (Italy)
- Theologian, philosopher
- A representative figure of scholasticism, who systematized the relationship between the doctrines of the Catholic Church and reason through his masterpiece, the Summa Theologica
Quote
“Not everything that is more difficult is more meritorious.”
Explanation
Thomas Aquinas challenges the notion that difficulty alone makes an action more virtuous or worthy. He suggests that the merit of an action is not simply determined by how hard it is to perform, but rather by the intention, the goodness of the action itself, and the virtue involved. While difficult actions can indeed be praiseworthy, what ultimately makes an action meritorious is its alignment with moral virtue and its contribution to the common good or the fulfillment of a moral duty. Aquinas emphasizes that difficulty does not inherently add value to an act if it lacks a noble purpose or if the outcome does not lead to goodness.
Aquinas’s perspective reflects his broader understanding of virtue ethics and natural law, which prioritize right action and the pursuit of virtue over purely external measures like effort or hardship. For Aquinas, some actions might be very challenging but ultimately fruitless or even morally wrong, while others might be easier but carry great merit because of their alignment with charity, justice, or prudence. He cautions against the belief that merit is directly proportional to effort—the true value of an action lies in the good it brings and the purity of the intention behind it.
In a modern context, this quote serves as a reminder that moral worth should not be judged solely by the difficulty or sacrifice involved. For example, sacrificing a great deal of time and effort for an unworthy cause or pursuing difficult goals without considering their moral implications may not be as valuable as taking a simpler action that makes a genuine positive impact. Aquinas’s insight encourages us to focus on the quality and purpose of our actions, rather than on the hardship we endure, reminding us that true merit comes from acting with virtue and promoting good, rather than simply from overcoming challenges for their own sake.
