Dist. 50, Part 2, Art. 2, Q. 3
by St. Bonaventure
Source text: Public Domain Mark 1.0. English translation/apparatus/encoding: CC BY-NC 4.0, Wroot Press.
https://bonaventure.wrootpress.com/browse/4/d/50/q/bon-sent-IV-d50-p2-a2-q3
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### Question III. *Whether that worm is unchangeable.*

Third and last it is asked whether that worm is unchangeable. And that it is, seems to be the case:

1. Because guilt is unchangeable; and punishment regards guilt: therefore, since this worm is a punishment, it is evident, etc.

2. Likewise, fire afflicts continuously and equally: therefore it likewise seems that the worm does also.

3. Likewise, everything changeable is terminable; but that worm is unterminable: therefore, etc.

**On the contrary:**

1. The worm arises from the recollection of sin; but they will not recall their sins all at once, since they are not deiform: therefore successively. But to a greater punishment a greater remorse is owed, and where this is, there is changeableness: therefore, etc.

2. Likewise, if it is a worm, it gnaws; but when something is gnawed at for a longer time, it is more weakened and more burdened: therefore the punishment of the wicked always increases.

3. Likewise, if it always gnaws: since the good which it takes away is not infinite, therefore at some time it would take away the whole; but this is impossible: therefore, etc.

### Conclusion

> *That worm does not vary.*

**I respond:** It must be said that by the just judgement of God, as was said above, it will come about that the wicked remember all their sins at once, so that they may be continuously tormented over all of them; and therefore the worm is for them all, and is not more intense now than before.

**To the arguments on the contrary:**

*To 3.* To that which is objected concerning the taking away, it must be said that, just as the *continuous going forth* of something from something else is twofold — either by *renewal* part by part, as a stream from a spring, and motion from a mover; or by *the continuation of the same thing*, as a branch from a root, and a ray from the sun — so *continuous taking away* is either by *the removal of something new*, as fire burns up wood; or by *the continuation of the same thing*, as infernal fire [consumes] the body, and grief the mind; and in this way the worm continuously gnaws. And that is better made plain above concerning the punishment of fire; and in this manner it is to be understood concerning the punishment of the worm.

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