On the Causes of Sins

Again. No sin, even venial, exists which is not voluntary. But the primo primi motions, which anticipate every advertence of reason, and those which we suffer unwillingly, are in no way voluntary. Therefore.

Again. No one is bound to the impossible. But it is impossible for man to prevent the motions of concupiscence from arising, whether from the unlooked-for apprehension of an object present or absent, or from the natural disposition of the body, or from the devil procuring them : since all these causes are not within the power of man.

As to the things objected especially from Sts. Augustine and Thomas, it must be answered that they take sin or fault improperly, either for that which is from sin and inclines to sin, or for any disorder of nature, even though not imputable; or else that they speak of the motions of concupiscence that are secundo primi, which do not proceed from perfect deliberation. Moreover, that the holy Doctors think Catholicly with us is evident from their testimonies cited in the first conclusion. Likewise, as regards Augustine, from lib. V cont. Julian., c. 3; ib. IV cont. eumd., c. 15; lib. I de Civit., c. 26, and lib. II de Peccatorum meritis et remis., c. 4. As to St. Thomas, IIa IIae, q. 154, a. 5, o, and q. 7 de Malo, a. 6, ad 6.