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Happiness then is co-extensive with this Contemplative

Speculation, and in proportion as people have the act of

Contemplation so far have they also the being happy, not

incidentally, but in the way of Contemplative Speculation because

it is in itself precious.

Chapter VII.

So Happiness must be a kind of Contemplative Speculation; but

since it is Man we are speaking of he will need likewise External

Prosperity, because his Nature is not by itself sufficient for

Speculation, but there must be health of body, and nourishment,

and tendance of all kinds.

However, it must not be thought, because without external goods a

man cannot enjoy high Happiness, that therefore he will require

many and great goods in order to be happy: for neither

Self-sufficiency, nor Action, stand in Excess, and it is quite

possible to act nobly without being ruler of sea and land, since

even with moderate means a man may act in accordance with Virtue.