Whether hope is a cause of love?

❌ Objection 1 : It would seem that hope is not a cause of love. Because, according to Augustine (De Civ. Dei xiv, 7,9), love is the first of the soul's emotions. But hope is an emotion of the soul. Therefore love precedes hope, and consequently hope does not cause love.

❌ Objection 2 : Further, desire precedes hope. But desire is caused by love, as stated above (Question [25], Article [2]). Therefore hope, too, follows love, and consequently is not its cause.

❌ Objection 3 : Further, hope causes pleasure, as stated above (Question [32], Article [3]). But pleasure is only of the good that is loved. Therefore love precedes hope.