Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae

Objection 1: It would seem that derision is not a special sin distinct from those mentioned above. For laughing to scorn is apparently the same as derision. But laughing to scorn pertains to reviling. Therefore derision would seem not to differ from reviling.

Objection 2: Further, no man is derided except for something reprehensible which puts him to shame. Now such are sins; and if they be imputed to a person publicly, it is a case of reviling, if privately, it amounts to backbiting or tale-bearing. Therefore derision is not distinct from the foregoing vices.

Objection 3: Further, sins of this kind are distinguished by the injury they inflict on one's neighbor. Now the injury inflicted on a man by derision affects either his honor, or his good name, or is detrimental to his friendship. Therefore derision is not a sin distinct from the foregoing.

On the contrary, Derision is done in jest, wherefore it is described as "making fun." Now all the foregoing are done seriously and not in jest. Therefore derision differs from all of them.

I answer that, As stated above (Question 72, Article 2), sins of word should be weighed chiefly by the intention of the speaker, wherefore these sins are differentiated according to the various intentions of those who speak against another. Now just as the railer intends to injure the honor of the person he rails, the backbiter to depreciate a good name, and the tale-bearer to destroy friendship, so too the derider intends to shame the person he derides. And since this end is distinct from the others, it follows that the sin of derision is distinct from the foregoing sins.

Reply to Objection 1: Laughing to scorn and derision agree as to the end but differ in mode, because derision is done with the "mouth," i.e. by words and laughter, while laughing to scorn is done by wrinkling the nose, as a gloss says on Ps. 2:4, "He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them": and such a distinction does not differentiate the species. Yet they both differ from reviling, as being shamed differs from being dishonored: for to be ashamed is "to fear dishonor," as Damascene states (De Fide Orth. ii, 15).

Reply to Objection 2: For doing a virtuous deed a man deserves both respect and a good name in the eyes of others, and in his own eyes the glory of a good conscience, according to 2 Cor. 1:12, "Our glory is this, the testimony of our conscience." Hence, on the other hand, for doing a reprehensible, i.e. a vicious action, a man forfeits his honor and good name in the eyes of others---and for this purpose the reviler and the backbiter speak of another person---while in his own eyes, he loses the glory of his conscience through being confused and ashamed at reprehensible deeds being imputed to him---and for this purpose the derider speaks ill of him. It is accordingly evident that derision agrees with the foregoing vices as to the matter but differs as to the end.

Reply to Objection 3: A secure and calm conscience is a great good, according to Prov. 15:15, "A secure mind is like a continual feast." Wherefore he that disturbs another's conscience by confounding him inflicts a special injury on him: hence derision is a special kind of sin.

Articulus 1

Argumentum 1

Ad primum sic proceditur. Videtur quod derisio non sit speciale peccatum ab aliis praemissis distinctum. Subsannatio enim videtur idem esse quod derisio. Sed subsannatio ad contumeliam videtur pertinere.

Ergo derisio non videtur distingui a contumelia.

Argumentum 2

Praeterea, nullus irridetur nisi de aliquo turpi, ex quo homo erubescit. Huiusmodi autem sunt peccata, quae si manifeste de aliquo dicuntur, pertinent ad contumeliam; si autem occulte, pertinent ad detractionem sive susurrationem.

Ergo derisio non est vitium a praemissis distinctum.

Argumentum 3

Praeterea, huiusmodi peccata distinguuntur secundum nocumenta quae proximo inferuntur. Sed per derisionem non infertur aliud nocumentum proximo quam in honore vel fama vel detrimento amicitiae. Ergo derisio non est peccatum distinctum a praemissis.

Sed Contra

Sed contra est quod irrisio fit ludo, unde et illusio nominatur.

Nullum autem praemissorum ludo agitur, sed serio.

Ergo derisio ab omnibus praedictis differt.

Corpus

Respondeo dicendum quod, sicut supra dictum est, peccata verborum praecipue pensanda sunt secundum intentionem proferentis. Et ideo secundum diversa quae quis intendit contra alium loquens, huiusmodi peccata distinguuntur. Sicut autem aliquis conviciando intendit conviciati honorem deprimere, et detrahendo diminuere famam, et susurrando tollere amicitiam; ita etiam irridendo aliquis intendit quod ille qui irridetur erubescat.

Et quia hic finis est distinctus ab aliis, ideo etiam peccatum derisionis distinguitur a praemissis peccatis.

Ad 1

Ad primum ergo dicendum quod subsannatio et irrisio conveniunt in fine, sed differunt in modo, quia irrisio fit ore, idest verbo et cachinnis; subsannatio autem naso rugato, ut dicit Glossa super illud psalm., qui habitat in caelis irridebit eos.

Talis tamen differentia non diversificat speciem. Utrumque tamen differt a contumelia, sicut erubescentia a dehonoratione, est enim erubescentia timor dehonorationis, sicut Damascenus dicit.

Ad 2

Ad secundum dicendum quod de opere virtuoso aliquis apud alios et reverentiam meretur et famam; apud seipsum bonae conscientiae gloriam, secundum illud II ad Cor. I, gloria nostra haec est, testimonium conscientiae nostrae.

Unde e contrario de actu turpi, idest vitioso, apud alios quidem tollitur hominis honor et fama, et ad hoc contumeliosus et detractor turpia de alio dicunt. Apud seipsum autem per turpia quae dicuntur aliquis perdit conscientiae gloriam per quandam confusionem et erubescentiam, et ad hoc turpia dicit derisor.

Et sic patet quod derisor communicat cum praedictis vitiis in materia, differt autem in fine.

Ad 3

Ad tertium dicendum quod securitas conscientiae et quies illius magnum bonum est, secundum illud Prov. XV, secura mens quasi iuge convivium.

Et ideo qui conscientiam alicuius inquietat confundendo ipsum, aliquod speciale nocumentum ei infert.

Unde derisio est peccatum speciale.