The word “honors” is given in the plural (honoribus), because St. Thomas is not speaking of fame or celebrity in general – that is discussed in the next Article. Here he is speaking of the particular distinctions we confer upon persons whom we consider deserving. Offices, for example, are honors; so are prizes, awards, and other authoritative recognition; so is being raised to a higher rank. To be sure, mere celebrity may lead to being granted honors, but the two things are formally distinct. It is one thing to be deservedly or undeservedly famous; it is another thing for the famous person to receive official recognition of excellence. Here we are speaking of the latter.