Aquinas’s writings on normative ethics are vast, with 1,004 articles on virtue ethics and related matters in the Summa theologiae (ST) alone. These writings constitute an extraordinarily intricate picture of the kind of human life that Aquinas considers normative, but they also contain plenty of surprises, especially for those who assume that Aquinas is guided principally by the virtue ethics of Aristotle. Arguably the greatest of these surprises is that Aquinas’s writings on virtue ethics are not, in fact, simply about virtues. Instead, Aquinas’s virtues in the ST are integrated into a fourfold system of perfective attributes, namely virtues, gifts, beatitudes, and fruits (VGBF). In this chapter, I present a brief summary of this system and my interpretation of its meaning in the light of recent research.

The Mysteries of Solomon and Dante's Aristotle

The wisdom of King Solomon is described in this text as the greatest of all time. As a philosopher and a poet, Solomon was certainly prolific, uttering 3,000 proverbs and composing 1,005 songs. His philosophical insights ranged across the natural world, including trees, beasts, birds, reptiles, and fish. His defensive fortifications and prudent alliances displayed masterly political skills, securing tranquility and legendary riches for his kingdom. His recorded prayers reveal a profound knowledge of God and deep theological insights, and his name is associated with the great temple he constructed in Jerusalem. People were astounded by his wise judgments, and he received visitors from far-off lands who wished to converse with him. Indeed, so great was Solomon's impact and reputation that much of the wisdom literature of the Old Testament is ascribed to him.