Question XXXVII: Whether a son is to be loved more than a father

I assert that parents are to be loved more by Charity, on the part of the lovable object, which is good. So St. Bonaventure here, and St. Thomas quaest. 26 art. 9 and quaest. 31 art. 3 ad 4, where Valencia, Bannes, Aragon, and Tanner. disp. 2 quaest. 3 dub. 5, Fuliens. lib. 3 cap. 10.

It is proved by St. Bonaventure first, because after the worship of God, the honor of parents is straightway commanded in Exodi 20. Therefore as regards the honor owed and the obligation of assisting, parents are to be preferred.

Secondly it is proved by the Holy Doctors from St. Ambrose, cited in quaest. 13.

Thirdly: Where there is a greater dependence, and whence a greater good, and the origin of arriving at the highest good, in the enjoyment of which the consummation of Charity consists, there is the greater inclination toward it; but man depends more on his parents, from whom he has being ordered to the highest good, which they imitate of the first Principle and last End: Therefore. Hence Aristot. 9 Eth. cap. 2 says: Man more honorably assists his parents than his sons, and even himself.

Fourthly in the body, because we have more and more excellent goods from our parents: Therefore, on the part of the object of Charity, which is good, parents are to be loved more.

I assert secondly, on the part of the lover, that sons are to be loved more.

It is proved by the Holy Doctors, because the son is a part of the father, and hence more intimate to the one loving from 8 Eth. cap. 12, and in him he is more conserved and expressed. And so the love holds itself, as the exceeding and the exceeded, under diverse rationes; yet so that grace inclines more toward parents; nature indeed, as regards the affection, toward sons — which is so clear that I wonder that Valencia disp. 3 quaest. 4 p. 5 said that Bonaventure was deceived, in which also Tannerus wrongly carps at the Holy Doctor.