Meaning of works are love, and not good reasons (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Works are loves, and not good reasons:

The popular saying "Works are love, and not good reasons" or "Works are love, not good reasons" means that true love is expressed in actions and not just words, however well founded.

Faced with the discourse loaded with promises, as well as flattering and flattering words, this saying proposes to observe the clarity and veracity of concrete, solidarity, timely and disinterested actions (works) as proof of love. Thus, the saying also denounces hypocrisy.

The saying can be used as an exhortation to coherence between words and deeds. It can also be used to expose the hypocrisy of those who speak, but do not compromise.

Concrete works are the only ones capable of bearing reliable witness of love, whether this love is expressed verbally or not. For this reason, the saying invites to look beyond the discourse to direct attention to the actions of people, which often go unnoticed.

In this sense, the saying resembles the New Testament phrase that says "By the fruits they will know them." This phrase, attributed to Jesus, has by context a metaphor between the spiritual life and the vegetable world. It is the fruits that allow the tree to be recognized.

In the same way, it is the "fruits" that result from human actions, not simply words, that allow us to distinguish between a true and a false prophet.

Some equivalent sayings are: "To the test, good love", "Love and faith, in the works they are seen", "There is no preacher like Brother Example" and "If you love me, Juan, your works will tell me "

Works are loves, and not good reasons from Lope de Vega

Works are loves, and not good reasons is a comedy by the writer of the Spanish Golden Age, Lope de Vega Carpio. You can read an excerpt here:

Laura, you have warned me: / you tell me, Laura bella, / that works are love, / today I want it to be seen / that this sentence is true.

See also:

• Love pays for love. One nail takes out another nail.