Here is a delightful example of St. Thomas’ sense of humor, from Questions on Whatever (Quaestiones Quodlibitales), Question 12, Article 20:
Whether truth is stronger than either wine, the king or woman.
Objections:
- It seems that wine (is stronger than the others) because it affects man the most.
- Again, (it seems) that the king (is stronger than the others) because he sends man to what is most difficult, namely, to that which exposed himself to mortal danger.
- Again, (it seems) that woman (is stronger), because she commands even kings.
On the other hand is the fact Eszra IV, 35 says that truth is stronger.
I respond that it should be said that this is the question proposed to youths (who were going to be destroyed) in Eszra. One should realize, therefore, that if we consider these four, namely wine, the king, woman, and truth, in themselves they are not comparable because they do not belong to the same genus. Nevertheless, if they are considered in relation to some effect, they coincide in one aspect, and so can be compared with each other. Now, this effect in which they come together and can be compared is the effect they have on the human heart. One ought to see, therefore, which among these most affect the heart of man.
One should know, therefore, that man has a certain ability to be affected corporally and another in his animal (nature). This latter is of two kinds, according to the sense faculties and according to the intelligible faculties. The intelligible, indeed, is of two kinds, the practical and the speculative.
Among those things, however, which pertain to affecting according to the disposition of the body, wine has the excellence which makes (someone) speak through drunkenness. Among those things which pertain to the affecting of the sensitive appetite, pleasure is the more excellent and principally sexual (pleasure), and so woman is stronger. Again in practical things, i.e. in human things, which we are able to do, the king has the greatest ability. In speculative things, the highest and most powerful is truth.
Now, however, bodily powers are subjected to animal powers, animal powers to intellectual (ones), and practical intellectual powers to speculative (ones). And so simpliciter truth is greater in dignity, and more excellent and stronger.
Via Joseph M. Magee
September 13th, 2012 | 9:03 am
You probably already know this one, a 9th century joke by theologian John Scotus Eriugina to King Charles the Bald:
“William of Malmesbury’s amusing story illustrates both the character of Eriugena and the position he occupied at the French court. The king having asked, Quid distat inter sottum et Scottum? (what separates a sot (drunkard) from an Irishman?) Eriugena replied, Mensa tantum (Only a table).”
From the Wikipedia entry on John Scotus
September 14th, 2012 | 12:14 am
Respectfully, while this question is sort of amusing, I don’t think Aquinas was trying to be funny.
September 14th, 2012 | 7:23 am
Another example is the well-known Quodlibet
“Qui bene bibit bene dormiet
Qui dormit non peccat
Qui non peccat salvabitur
Ergo..”
“He who drinks well shall sleep well
He who is asleep does not sin
He who does not sin shall be saved
therefore…”
September 14th, 2012 | 7:38 am
Is it possible that Aquinas was a stand up comedian in his previous life? Although it’s safe to say that Aquinas will likely be remembered principally for his intellectual contributions, he was a flesh and blood person, with a sense of humor. Although I suspect that his humor might fall into the category, for many people, of well, I guess you had to be there…
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