stating that people love to be praised. Is this kind of love selfish? I believe it is selfish. If not selfish, I wouldnt define it as true love. True love is doing something out of the kindness of your heart, you dont expect any favors in return. The report of mens mouths and deeds known to men, bring with them a most perilous temptation from the love of praise, which goes round almost begging for compliments and piles them up for our own personal glory. (pg. 205) I interpret this statement to mean that people are tempted to be loved because those who are loved are often praised. In general after I read Confessions I believed that Augustine had some interesting thoughts. I wouldnt agree with half of them dealing with love. I think he brings some important ideas about lust and the temptation of being praised. Augustine knows that many other adversities come along with love. Love isnt an easy stage for people to go through, but when we are ready to love we shouldnt be afraid to love. I wouldnt call Augustine ignorant when he talks about love. In all actuality I think the different stages he has been through make him wise regarding love. He wasnt able to love with all his heart, but Augustine understood what it took to be able to love sincerely. I think Augustine defines love as a state of being where you give all of yourself to another person. Regardless of the person, whether its God, a significant other, or a certain thing. Love is a mental, spiritual, and physical state that makes us a better person in the end....
