The things that we love tell us what we are

The things that we love tell us what we are

Thomas Aquinas, a renowned theologian and philosopher, once said, "The things that we love tell us what we are." This profound statement holds a great deal of truth and insight into human nature. Aquinas believed that our deepest desires and affections reveal our true character and values. In other words, the objects of our love and devotion reflect our innermost selves.

Aquinas was a firm believer in the idea that our actions are a reflection of our innermost desires and beliefs. He argued that our loves and desires shape our character and ultimately determine the kind of person we become. For Aquinas, love was not just a fleeting emotion, but a powerful force that drives us to act in certain ways and make choices that align with our values and beliefs.

According to Aquinas, our loves can be categorized into different types: love of self, love of others, and love of God. He believed that the highest form of love is the love of God, as it is the source of all goodness and truth. When we love God above all else, we are aligning ourselves with the ultimate source of love and goodness, and our actions will reflect this love in everything we do.

Aquinas also believed that our loves can be distorted or misplaced, leading us away from our true selves and our ultimate purpose. When we love material possessions, power, or fame more than anything else, we are allowing these things to define us and shape our character in negative ways. Our loves can become idols that we worship, leading us away from the true source of love and goodness.