day no. 15,510: when blue ribbons are given to second hand emotions

"The will is the custodian of the feelings and must learn to lead them, not follow them"
-- Peter Kreeft, Three Philosophies of Life

"The head rules the belly through the the chest."

-- C.S. Lewis in The Abolition of Man, chapter 1: Men Without Chests

In other words, the will tells the body what to do through affection. Affections are necessary, but secondary. Affections make bad principles. The will must lead, but can follow. It shouldn't, but it can. Where affections are not guided, they will guide. Where the will does not lead, it will be led. When primary things are not given blue ribbons, they are corrupted. The will has been awarded custody of the affections, but the will must serve them by raising them and nourishing them, not by serving their whims. Giving gold medals to secondary things ruins everything.