Chapter — Vermeersch, On Chastity
Chapter V. On the Virtue of Modesty
The notion of modesty.
413. - Just as, after the introduction, we made the beginning of our discourse from the virtue of chastity, so may it be permitted us to reserve the end of this treatise for the same virtue.
To the many arts by which true lust prepares a way for itself, or, having already entered, dissembles itself, the virtue of Modesty is contrary, which we can call the bulwark of chastity.
Modesty, by its inclination, counsels us to avoid every signification of lust, and in looks, kisses, and touches to flee every suspect pleasure, but rather to manifest and profess chastity and continence.
It counsels us to perform this whether alone or before witnesses, because "we have been made a spectacle to angels and to men 1."
Modesty so pertains to chastity that it is not distinguished from it as a virtue 2.
2 II-II, question 151, article 4.
Its merit.
By the noble pursuit of it, all chastity is strengthened and angelic chastity is prepared.