Section — Prümmer, Manuale Theologiae Moralis
§ 2. On Meekness
709. Meekness is a moral virtue which moderates anger according to right reason.1383
Anger is not an affection evil of itself, but is a passion indifferent of itself and can be defined: the appetite for vengeance. Anger through vice, which precedes the use of reason and disturbs it, is distinguished from anger through zeal, which follows deliberation and greatly assists the execution of an arduous work. Sinful anger or irascibility occurs in two ways: a) by reason of the object, when someone wills to take vengeance contrary to the order of right, or from hatred or another evil end; b) by reason of the mode, if, namely, anger boils up excessively, whether inwardly or outwardly. Inordinate anger on the part of the object is a mortal sin from its genus; but that which is inordinate on the part of the mode is only venial from its genus. The reason is that anger inordinate by reason of its object injures justice; but if the disorder is confined to the mode, it is an excess in a thing otherwise lawful; and this excess of itself is only a venial sin. In order to judge in practice concerning the sinfulness of anger, the degrees of anger and the scandal thence given must also be considered.
Anger is a capital vice, because many other vices are wont to arise from it, as was said above, I, n. 429.1384 Meekness, which rightly moderates anger, is a very precious virtue; for it truly renders a man lovable to God and to his neighbors. Christ came to us as a "meek king"1385 and was "as a meek lamb that is carried to be a victim."1386 Wherefore St. Paul beseeches the Corinthians, writing: "I beseech you by the meekness and modesty of Christ."1387 Meekness also renders us pleasing to men; whence it is said: "My son, perform thy works in meekness, and thou shalt be beloved above the glory of men,"1388 and: "The meek ... shall inherit the land, and shall delight in abundance of peace."1389 But meekness is especially necessary for priests; and therefore Christ said to his disciples: "Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves."1390 For acquiring meekness, humility, which makes us conscious of our own defects, and fortitude, which strengthens the will against sudden motions of anger, are very conducive.
Opposed to meekness by defect is sluggishness or failure to become angry in correcting and restraining vices; but by excess, anger, as has already been said. Among others, St. Thomas1391 and St. Francis de Sales1392 have written excellently concerning meekness.
1383 Sanftmut, mansuétude [meekness].
1384 Cf. S. theol. 2, 2, q. 158, a. 7.
1385 Matt. 21:5.
1386 Jer. 11:19.
1387 2 Cor. 10:1.
1388 Ecclus. 3:19.
1389 Ps. 36:11.
1390 Matt. 10:16.
1391 S. theol. 2, 2, q. 157.
1392 Philothea, Part 3, chs. 8 and 9.