Full Idea
The Aristotelianism of Thomas Aquinas (unlike St Augustine's Platonism) is not concerned with escaping from the snares of the world and of desire, but with transforming desire for moral ends.
Gist of Idea
Aquinas wanted, not to escape desire, but to transform it for moral ends
Source
report of Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologicae [1265]) by Alasdair MacIntyre - A Short History of Ethics Ch.9
Book Reference
MacIntyre,Alasdair: 'A Short History of Ethics' [Routledge 1967], p.117
A Reaction
This is very close to Aristotle himself, for whom education of the feelings (into good habits, and then true virtues) was central. Education of feelings should be central to all education (though young psychopaths may show resistance).