The Thomistic Institute Money, Pleasure, Influence and the Key to a Happy Life – Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P.
Feb 17, 2026
Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., a Dominican theologian and author, explores why money, pleasure, and influence fail as final ends. He explains human nature, how our faculties point to communion with God, and the role of faith, hope, and charity. Short practical precepts on referring life to God and willing a higher state round out the conversation.
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Nature Reveals Purpose
- 'Nature' shows a thing's purpose by its kind of being, giving standards for how it ought to flourish.
- Knowing what a thing is helps identify how it should be lived toward its fulfillment.
Toothbrush Choice Illustrates Nature
- Fr. Gregory Pine recounts switching to a soft-bristle toothbrush despite preferring a hard one because it's better for his gums.
- He uses this small example to show how our bodies' natures inform proper care and flourishing.
Money And Goods Are Means Only
- Money cannot be the ultimate end because it is a means to natural goods and refers beyond itself.
- Natural goods are limited by bodily capacity and cannot satisfy our infinite longing.
