Whether hope is a help or a hindrance to action?

❌ Objection 1 : It would seem that hope is not a help but a hindrance to action. Because hope implies security. But security begets negligence which hinders action. Therefore hope is a hindrance to action.

❌ Objection 2 : Further, sorrow hinders action, as stated above (Question [37], Article [3]). But hope sometimes causes sorrow: for it is written (Prov. 13:12): "Hope that is deferred afflicteth the soul." Therefore hope hinders action.

❌ Objection 3 : Further, despair is contrary to hope, as stated above (Article [4]). But despair, especially in matters of war, conduces to action; for it is written (2 Kgs. 2:26), that "it is dangerous to drive people to despair." Therefore hope has a contrary effect, namely, by hindering action.