Morals of the Church
Library › Wouters, Manual of Moral Theology › Volume I › Book II. On the Exercise of the Christian Life, or on the Cultivation of the Virtues › Treatise II. On the Cultivation of the Moral Virtues › Dissertation I. On the Precepts of the Decalogue › Part VII. On the Seventh and Tenth Precepts of the Decalogue › Section I. On Commutative Justice Itself › Chapter II. On Commutative Justice in Contracts › Article II. On Contracts in Species › § VII. On Letting-Hiring › Point III. On the Letting of a Work, or on the Contract of Rendering a Work

Section — Wouters, Manual of Moral Theology

Scholion. On Labor

922.

I. Notion. Labor here is understood as the use of powers which by its nature is not ordered to delight, as games or sport, as it is called, are. It is distinguished as spiritual and bodily.

Duties of Masters and ServantsDuties of masters and employersThe Contract of Work and Labour

923.

II. The right of laboring. It is clear that to each person belongs the right of using his powers, insofar as by that use the right of another is not harmed. But it is asked to what extent one who otherwise cannot provide for himself and his own has a broad right that an occasion of laboring be procured for him. Now those who can conveniently furnish it are bound to furnish an occasion of laboring to those who lack another means of support. Likewise the State, insofar as there is need, should provide for this cause.

What is to be said about the rationalization of labor, as it is called?

Response 1. The rationalization of labor consists in this, that with the least possible powers the greatest number and best effects are produced and brought to buyers. The consequence will be that more workers become superfluous and are dismissed.

Response 2. This way of acting is not illicit, because no one is bound to neglect his own advantage in order to procure advantage for another. Make exception if the State, insofar as it is necessary for the common good and can practically be done, restricts liberty.

Duties of Masters and ServantsDuties of masters and employersThe Contract of Work and Labour

924.

III. Obligation of laboring. Each person is bound to labor: 1° if otherwise he cannot provide for himself and his own; 2° if idleness would be a proximate and free occasion of sins. Labor is also necessary for the common good; but if the intended end, with attention paid to the common character of men, will be obtained certainly enough - as has place in the case - a necessity of this kind does not oblige individual persons (cf. St. Thomas, II-II, q. 187, a. 3).

Objection. The Apostle warns: "If anyone will not work, neither let him eat."1

Response. The Apostle can best be understood of those who, with labor neglected, cannot provide for themselves and their own.2

1 2 Thess. 3:10.

2 Encyclical Quadragesimo anno, May 15, 1931 (A.A.S. 1931, p. 197).

Duties of Masters and ServantsDuties of masters and employersThe Contract of Work and Labour