Aquinas on Happiness: Why Virtue and Will Define Fulfillment

Quote Analysis

When we think of happiness today, we often picture fleeting pleasures, success, or emotional highs. But in the words of medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas:

“Happiness is secured through virtue; it is a good attained by man’s own will.”

This powerful statement shifts our understanding of happiness away from luck or circumstance and grounds it in moral strength and conscious choice. What exactly did Aquinas mean by this? And why is his view of virtue-driven happiness still relevant in our modern, fast-paced world? Let’s explore the deeper meaning behind his words.

Origin and Philosophical Context of the Quote

To fully grasp the meaning behind Aquinas’s quote “Happiness is secured through virtue; it is a good attained by man’s own will,” we first need to understand who Thomas Aquinas was and the intellectual tradition he belonged to.

Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) was a Dominican friar, Catholic priest, and one of the most influential theologians and philosophers of the medieval period. He is best known for his effort to reconcile Christian theology with the philosophy of Aristotle, creating what is now known as Thomism.

In Aquinas’s worldview, human beings are rational creatures with a natural inclination toward the good. He believed that all things have a proper end or telos, and for humans, that end is happiness (beatitudo). But unlike modern understandings of happiness—which often center on pleasure, emotion, or external success—Aquinas saw happiness as something much deeper: the fulfillment of the soul’s purpose

through virtuous living.

His ethical framework is rooted in natural law and virtue ethics. Drawing from Aristotle, Aquinas argues that happiness is not an accident, nor is it a gift from the outside world. It is the result of living well in accordance with reason and moral virtue. In this sense, the quote emphasizes two things:
– virtue as the foundation of happiness
– human will as the active force that chooses the good

Therefore, Aquinas positions happiness not as something we find, but as something we build—deliberately, ethically, and intelligently.

The Meaning of Virtue as the Foundation of Happiness

In Aquinas’s ethical system, virtue is not simply about being a “good person” in a vague sense. It refers to a habitual and firm disposition to do good. Virtues are interior qualities that help a person act rightly—not once, but consistently and freely.

There are two main types of virtues in his system:

Cardinal virtues, inherited from classical philosophy:
– Prudence (practical wisdom)
– Justice (fairness and giving each their due)
– Fortitude (courage in adversity)
– Temperance (moderation of desires)
Theological virtues, introduced by Christian tradition:
– Faith
– Hope
– Charity (or love)

According to Aquinas, these virtues are not optional. They are the necessary tools for living a meaningful and happy life. Virtue is what shapes a person’s character and directs them toward their true end. Without virtue, human actions become scattered, reactive, and driven by passions—leading not to happiness but to inner conflict and moral instability.

Importantly, Aquinas teaches that true happiness cannot be found in wealth, fame, pleasure, or power. These are secondary goods that often distract us from our higher purpose. Genuine happiness, he argues, must be stable, self-chosen, and morally upright. And only a life led by virtue can meet these conditions.

By highlighting virtue in the quote, Aquinas reminds us that happiness is a moral achievement, not an emotional accident. It’s a state of being that emerges when we align our will with the good—when we not only know what is right but habitually choose it.

The Role of Free Will in Achieving Happiness

When Aquinas says that happiness is “a good attained by man’s own will,” he is emphasizing the active role of human choice in the pursuit of a fulfilled life. For him, we are not passive recipients of happiness. We are moral agents, capable of freely choosing actions that lead us either toward or away from our true good.

Free will (liberum arbitrium) is, according to Aquinas, a rational capacity that allows humans to make decisions based not just on instinct or emotion, but on reason and understanding. While animals act by instinct, humans have the ability to deliberate, evaluate consequences, and decide what aligns best with their nature and purpose.

This capacity comes with responsibility. It means that:

– No one can “give” us happiness—we must pursue it ourselves.
– We are accountable for our moral growth or failure.
– True happiness requires intentional choices, not accidental ones.

Aquinas also distinguishes between apparent goods (things that seem good but are not truly fulfilling) and true goods (which align with our ultimate end). Free will allows us to choose between these, but only when the will is guided by a well-formed intellect.

In simple terms, our will needs direction, and that direction comes from reason informed by virtue. Choosing well—again and again—is how we build a happy life. That’s why Aquinas ties happiness so closely to the moral will: not any decision leads to happiness, but only those rooted in truth and virtue.

The Difference Between True and False Happiness

In everyday language, we often call many things “happiness.” Getting a promotion, enjoying a vacation, buying something new—these can all feel good in the moment. But Aquinas makes a clear distinction between temporary satisfaction and true happiness.

He teaches that true happiness is permanent, complete, and rooted in the soul’s alignment with its purpose. In contrast, false happiness is temporary, incomplete, and usually based on external or bodily pleasures.

Let’s look at some examples of what Aquinas would consider false forms of happiness:

– Wealth, because it’s only a means to an end, not an end in itself
– Fame or honor, because they depend on other people’s opinions
– Power, because it can easily corrupt and is often unstable
– Pleasure, because it is fleeting and tied to bodily senses

While none of these are evil by nature, Aquinas argues they cannot provide the kind of deep, lasting fulfillment the human soul seeks. They might simulate happiness, but they can’t sustain it.

True happiness, for Aquinas, comes from the contemplation of truth, the practice of virtue, and ultimately, union with the highest good—what he calls God. This doesn’t mean happiness is purely religious, but that it must be anchored in something greater than ourselves, something enduring and morally upright.

This is where Aquinas’s view resonates with modern thought as well. Even today, many psychologists argue that material wealth and pleasure don’t correlate strongly with long-term life satisfaction. Instead, happiness is closely tied to meaning, values, and inner integrity—exactly what Aquinas emphasized centuries ago.

The Relevance of Aquinas’s Idea in the Modern World

Even though Thomas Aquinas lived in the 13th century, his understanding of happiness still speaks directly to many of the challenges we face today. In our modern culture, happiness is often treated as a product—something we can buy, achieve, or chase through external success. Aquinas offers a different path: happiness as an internal condition, built over time through conscious moral choices.

Let’s look at why this idea remains relevant:

– Many people feel a sense of emptiness despite having money, comfort, or status. Aquinas would say this is because external goods alone cannot satisfy the deeper needs of the human soul.
– In times of uncertainty or stress, individuals with strong inner values and virtues often show greater resilience and peace.
– The modern world rewards speed and productivity, but Aquinas reminds us that quality of character matters more than quantity of achievements.

His teachings also have educational and social value. Imagine raising children or building communities where virtues like honesty, patience, courage, and justice are nurtured. That kind of moral foundation would produce not just successful individuals, but fulfilled ones.

Moreover, his emphasis on human will and responsibility encourages people today to stop blaming circumstances and take ownership of their lives. In an era of constant comparison and distraction, returning to virtue as a compass can provide clarity and strength.

Deeper Reflection: What We Love Reveals Who We Are

To understand Aquinas more fully, it helps to look at another one of his powerful statements: “The Things That We Love Tell Us What We Are.” This quote invites us to reflect not just on what we do, but what we truly desire.

If we love power, we may become manipulative. If we love pleasure above all, we may become restless. But if we love truth, justice, and goodness—our character will begin to reflect those qualities.

This idea connects closely with his teaching on happiness and virtue. What we choose to love shapes:

– How we use our free will
– What goals we pursue
– What kind of person we become over time

In simple terms: we are formed by our affections. If we want to be better, we must learn to love better—to reorient our hearts toward things that are noble, enduring, and morally rich.

So when Aquinas says that happiness is gained through virtue and will, he is also asking: What is it that you truly love? Because the answer to that question might reveal not only your path to happiness, but your very identity.

The Path to Happiness Is Ethical and Intentional

Thomas Aquinas doesn’t give us a formula for happiness—he gives us a framework. According to him, happiness is not handed to us by luck or found in temporary highs. It is a stable and lasting good, built by:

– Practicing virtue in daily life
– Exercising free will in the service of the good
– Loving what is truly worthy of love
– Aligning our actions with reason, conscience, and higher purpose

This view can seem demanding in a world that encourages quick fixes and instant gratification. But it also offers something more meaningful: a way of life that leads to deep, lasting fulfillment.

By returning to virtue—not as a rigid rulebook, but as a personal compass—we can rediscover a form of happiness that is not easily shaken by failure, stress, or change. Aquinas reminds us that being happy is not just about feeling good, but about being good—and that’s a truth worth remembering.

“Happiness Is Secured Through Virtue” – What Thomas Aquinas Really Meant About Will, Ethics, and Fulfillment