399. (xi) The state of innocence and peace felt by parents towards their children can be rationalised as the fact that by themselves they have no knowledge or ability, but they get these from others, chiefly their father and mother. This state too gradually declines, as they acquire knowledge and ability of their own, and not from their parents.
It was shown above in the section on this subject (391) that the sphere of the love of children is one of protecting and supporting those who are unable to protect and support themselves. It was also pointed out there that this is only a person's rationalisation of the cause, not the real cause of the love they have. The real cause, which is the source of that love, is the innocence which comes from the Lord; this flows in without the person's knowledge and brings about the rationalisation of the cause. As therefore the first cause departs from that love, so at the same time does this second cause. Or to put it another way, as the sharing of innocence departs, so it is accompanied by the reason which persuades. But this only happens with human beings, so that they can do what they do freely and in accordance with reason, and consequently obey the rational and also the moral law which prescribes the support of grown up offspring as may be necessary and useful. Animals, being devoid of reason, do not have this second cause; they have only the former cause, which is for them an instinct.
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