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A Topic of Moral Theology

Virtue in General

The notion, division, subject, origin, increase, loss and properties of the virtues; acquired and infused virtue.

The works themselves ask 17 questions under this heading — see them together with their answers.

Within this topic

Also asked about as…

acquired virtues · growing in virtue · infused virtues · what is a virtue (ed.)

In the index as Virtue · Virtues · Sin · Prudence · Justice · Temperance · Habit · Works · Chastity · Humility · Virtue is a good habit · Fortitude · Obedience · Patience · Intellect enlightened in paradise · Temptations · VIRTUES of the natural order · Vice · Charity · Faith · Habits · Merit · Capital · Hope

In the manuals

Read the manuals side by side → — each work's whole treatment in its own column

Manual of Moral Theology (Manuale Theologiae Moralis)

Ludovicus Wouters, C.SS.R. — 29 passages

Vol. I, Bk. I, Treatise III. On Those Things which Dispose Toward Human Acts, or on Habits, n. 333 — I. The name habit is said to be derived from the verb to have, insofar as by this verb is indicated the manner in which something has itself in itself, either well or badly. A habit can be defined: A quality stable of it… Read in context →

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. III, Dissertation I. On Virtues, n. ¶1 — (St. Thomas, I-II, qq. 55-67; II-II, qq. 1-170; disputed questions On Virtues in Common; On the Cardinal Virtues; In III Sent., dist. 33.) We shall speak first of virtues in general, then of virtues in particular. Cf. Ca… Read in context →

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. III, Diss. I, Part I. On Virtues in General, n. ¶1 — In order that full knowledge of virtues in general may be had, six chapters chiefly occur that must be elucidated: namely, the notion of virtues and their division, the subject in which they immediately inhere, the cause… Read in context →

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. III, Diss. I, Pt. I, Sect. I, Object, Division, and Specific Distinction of Virtues, nn. 334, 335, 336 & 337 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. III, Diss. I, Pt. I, Section II. On the Subject of Inherence of Virtues, n. 338 — I. In asking about the subject of inherence of virtues, we inquire which powers of the soul can be perfected by virtues; for virtues are in their subject as perfecting accidents. I said the powers of the soul; for from t… Read in context →

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. III, Diss. I, Pt. I, Section III. On the Origin of Virtues, nn. 339 & 340 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. III, Diss. I, Pt. I, Section IV. On the Increase of Virtues and on their Diminution and Destruction, nn. ¶1, 341, 342 & 343 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. III, Diss. I, Pt. I, Section V. On the Permanence of Virtues After This Life, nn. 344, 345 & 346 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. III, Diss. I, Pt. I, Section VI. On the Properties of Virtues, nn. 347, 348 & 349 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. III, Diss. I, Pt. I, Sect. VI, Scholion. On the Relation Between Natural or Acquired Virtues and Supernatural Virtues, nn. 350 & 351 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. III, Diss. I, Part II. On Virtues in Particular, n. ¶1 — After the things that occurred to be said concerning virtues in general have been completed, we now pass to those things which must be demonstrated concerning them in particular. By reason of object, as we indicated at t… Read in context →

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. III, Diss. I, Pt. II, Sect. I, Chapter I. On Theological Virtues in General, nn. 352 & 353 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. III, Diss. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Chapter I. On Supernatural Moral Virtues in General, nn. 367, 368, 369 & 370 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Moral Theology: A Complete Course (McHugh & Callan)

John A. McHugh, O.P., and Charles J. Callan, O.P. — 34 passages

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. II, Art. 1. Habits in General, Definition, n. 133 — Definition. (Summa Theologica, I-II, qq. 49-54.) Definition.—A habit is a perfect and stable quality by which a being is well- or ill-affected in itself, or with regard to its motions. It differs from mere disposition or tendency, w… Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. II, Art. 1. Habits in General, Division, nn. 134, 135 & 136 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. II, Art. 2. Good Habits, or Vi…, Definition, n. 142 — Definition. (Summa Theologica, I-II, qq. 55-70.) Definition.—A virtue is a good habit of the free powers of the soul, that is a principle of good conduct, and never of conduct that is evil. Hence, the following are not virtues: (a) … Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. II, Art. 2. Good Habits, or Vi…, Division, nn. 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151 & 152 (10 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. II, Art. 2. Good Habits, or Vi…, Properties of the Virtues, nn. 153, 154, 156, 157 & 158 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. I, Q. II, Art. 2. Good Habits, or Vi…, Complements of the Virtues, n. 159 — The Complements of the Virtues. The Complements of the Virtues.—The virtues are habits that supply the soul with an internal guide (prudence), and with inclinations to follow its direction (moral virtues). But there is also a higher Guide who speaks to… Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. II, Question I. The Duties of All Classes of Men, n. 745 — The properties of the seven infused virtues are chiefly four: (a) In the first place, these virtues may be increased: “This I pray, that your charity may more and more abound” (Phil, i. 9). The increase takes place ex op… Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. II, Q. I, Art. 1. The Virtue of Faith, Introduction, n. 746 — (Summa Theologica, II-II, qq. 1-9.) The order of the theological virtues here followed is that given by St. Paul in I Cor., xiii. 13—viz., faith, hope, charity. The order of these virtues is twofold: (a) according to dig… Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. II, Q. I, Art. 4. The Virtue of Hope, The Excellence of Hope, n. 1028 — There are various points of view from which virtues may be compared one with another. (a) One virtue is prior to another in duration, when it precedes the latter in time. Thus, the natural virtues that pagans have before… Read in context →

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 1. The Virtue of Prud…, Parts, nn. 1635 & 1636 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 1. The Virtue of Prud…, Integral Parts, n. 1637 — Integral Parts of Prudence. Integral Parts of Prudence.—The integral parts of prudence, considered as a cognitive virtue or as an index of the right means, are those acts which enable one to have knowledge and to acquire knowledge. (a) Thus, the ac… Read in context →

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 1. The Virtue of Prud…, Subjective Parts, n. 1639 — The Subjective Parts or Species of Prudence. The Subjective Parts or Species of Prudence.—Prudence in general is the right direction of human actions to their ends; and hence there will be as many different kinds of prudence as there are different kinds of ends of … Read in context →

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 1. The Virtue of Prud…, Potential Parts, n. 1646 — The Potential Parts of Prudence. The Potential Parts of Prudence.—As was explained in 1636, the potential parts of a virtue are certain annexed virtues, usually inferior ones, that have to do with the secondary acts of a virtue to which they are subordi… Read in context →

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 3. The Subjective Par…, Subjective Parts of a Virtue, n. 1745 — The Three Species of Justice. (Summa Theologica, II-II, qq. 61, 62.) The Three Species of Justice.—The subjective parts of a virtue are those that partake of its essence and that are the subordinate species into which it may be distinguished, as prud… Read in context →

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 5. The Quasi-integral…, The Quasi-integral Parts of Justice, n. 2139 — The Quasi-Integral Parts of Justice. (Summa Theologica, II-II, qq. 79-100.) The Quasi-Integral Parts of Justice.—The integral parts of a virtue are certain functions necessary for the perfect use of the virtue; for example, memory, perception, docility and … Read in context →

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 5. The Quasi-integral…, The Potential Parts of Justice, n. 2141 — The Potential Parts of Justice. The Potential Parts of Justice.—The potential parts of justice, that is, its annexed virtues, are those good habits that are subsidiary to justice, partaking in some degree, but not entirely, of its nature or activity. W… Read in context →

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 7. The Virtue of Fort…, The Parts of Fortitude, n. 2447 — The Parts of Fortitude. The Parts of Fortitude.—As has been said above, the parts of a virtue are subjective, integral and potential (see 1635, 1636). (a) Fortitude has no subjective parts, for it is concerned with a very specialized matter, na… Read in context →

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 8. The Virtue of Temp…, The Parts of Temperance, n. 2465 — The Parts of Temperance. The Parts of Temperance.—(a) The subjective parts or species of temperance are two, since there are two distinct objects of the virtue. These objects are the two delights of touch that are ruled by the virtue, namely, th… Read in context →

Institutions of Moral Theology (Institutiones Theologiae Moralis)

Gennaro Bucceroni, S.J. — 7 passages

Vol. I, Preliminary Notices, n. 2 — What have been the vicissitudes of Moral Theology? - There have been various vicissitudes of Moral Theology, both as regards its didactic development and as regards the development of the general rule of morals in doubtf… Read in context →

Vol. I, On Sins and Virtues, VI. On Virtues, nn. 345, 346, 347, 348 & 349 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, On the Precept of Charity, VI. On Scandal, n. 445 — Is it never licit to cooperate in another's sin? - Cooperation in general is concurrence with another principally acting. But insofar as it can be opposed to charity, it is a certain participation in the depraved action … Read in context →

Compendium of Moral Theology of Fr. John Peter Gury, S.J., with the Notes of Antonio Ballerini, S.J.

Jean-Pierre Gury, S.J.; notes by Antonio Ballerini, S.J. — 6 passages

Vol. I, Treatise On Virtues, n. 185 (6 passages — hover a number to read it)

Synopsis of Moral and Pastoral Theology

Adolphe Tanquerey, S.S. — 47 passages

Vol. II, Fundamental Moral Theology…, On Virtues in Common, nn. 568, ¶1 & 569–613 (47 passages — hover a number to read it)

Theologia Moralis: Principles — Responses — Counsels

Arthur Vermeersch, S.J. — 3 passages

Vol. II, Preface, n. ¶1 — The present volume of this work is assigned to an argument which the moral theologian will deservedly claim as especially his own. For in it the principles of fundamental moral theology continually come to be used; in it… Read in context →

Vol. II, Introduction, n. ¶1 — Why the Volume Is Entitled "On the Exercise of the Virtues". As we wrote at the beginning (I, 25), we are sanctified by a twofold way, that is, by the use of the sacraments and by our cooperation with the grace of God. Volume II is assigned to explaining this cooperation. Moreover… Read in context →

Vol. II, Book II: On the Moral Virtues, n. ¶1 — Observation Concerning the Order. - What the moral virtues are and how they are divided, we said in I, nn. 495, 496. Moral theologians are not accustomed to prepare a place for the individual virtues. But, according to t… Read in context →

Manuale Theologiae Moralis

Dominic M. Prümmer, O.P. — 2 passages

Vol. I, Pt. I, Tract VI. On Virtues In General, nn. ¶59 & 437 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Institutiones Morales Alphonsianae

Clement Marc, C.SS.R. — 46 passages

Vol. I, Part First: On the First P…, Treatise V: On Virtues, nn. ¶1, ¶379 & ¶380 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Part First: On the First P…, Tr. V, Chapter I: On the Properties of Virtues, nn. ¶1 & ¶2 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Part First: On the First P…, Tr. V, Ch. I, Article I: On the Mediocrity of Virtues, nn. ¶381, ¶382 & ¶383 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Part First: On the First P…, Tr. V, Ch. I, Article II: On the Connection and Order of Virtues, nn. ¶384, ¶385 & ¶386 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Part First: On the First P…, Tr. V, Chapter II: On the Specific Distinction of Virtues, nn. ¶1 & ¶387 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Part First: On the First P…, Tr. V, Ch. II, Article I: On the Distinction of Virtues in the Natural Order, nn. ¶388, ¶389 & ¶390 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Part First: On the First P…, Tr. V, Ch. II, Art. I, § 1. On Prudence and the Virtues Contained Under It, nn. ¶391, ¶392, ¶393, ¶394, ¶395, ¶396 & ¶397 (7 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Part First: On the First P…, Tr. V, Ch. II, Art. I, § 2. On Justice and the Virtues Annexed to It, nn. ¶398, ¶399, ¶400, ¶401, ¶402, ¶403 & ¶404 (7 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Part First: On the First P…, Tr. V, Ch. II, Art. I, § 3. On Fortitude and the Virtues Annexed to It, nn. ¶405 & ¶406 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Part First: On the First P…, Tr. V, Ch. II, Art. I, § 4. On Temperance and the Virtues Annexed to It, nn. ¶407, ¶408, ¶409 & ¶410 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Part First: On the First P…, Tr. V, Ch. II, Article II: On the Distinction of Virtues in the Supernatural Order, nn. ¶411, ¶412 & ¶413 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Part First: On the First P…, Tr. V, Chapter III: On the Acquisition and Loss of Virtues, nn. ¶1 & ¶2 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Part First: On the First P…, Tr. V, Ch. III, § 1. On the Acquisition of Virtues, nn. ¶414 & ¶415 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Part First: On the First P…, Tr. V, Ch. III, § 2. On the Diminution and Loss of Virtues, nn. ¶416 & ¶417 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Supplement: Dispositions o…, Pt. I, TRACTATES IV AND V. - On Sins and Virtues, n. ¶1 — Nothing to be observed.Read in context →

Theologia Moralis Sancti Alphonsi: Reduced into a Compendium

Anthony Konings, C.SS.R. — 2 passages

Vol. I, TREATISE ON VIRTUES, nn. ¶1 & ¶247 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Summa Theologiae Moralis

Benedict Henry Merkelbach, O.P. — 57 passages

Vol. I, General Moral Theology, Treatise: On Habits and Virtues in General, nn. 556, 557 & 558 (7 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, General Moral Theology, Treatise: On Habits and Vi…, First Part: On Habits in G…, Question One: On the Essence of Habit, nn. ¶1, 559, 560, 561 & 562 (17 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, General Moral Theology, Treatise: On Habits and Vi…, Second Part: On Habits According to Moral Being, or On Acquired Virtues, n. ¶1 — According to moral being, that is, in order to the ultimate end and the rule of morals, operative habits are good and are virtues, or evil and are vices, according as they are suitable or not suitable to rational nature … Read in context →

Vol. I, General Moral Theology, Treatise: On Habits and Vi…, Second Part: On Habits Acc…, Question Three: On the Dis…, Article I: On Intellectual Virtues, nn. ¶1, 588, 589 & 590 (13 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, General Moral Theology, Treatise: On Habits and Vi…, Second Part: On Habits Acc…, Question Three: On the Dis…, Article II: On Moral Virtues, nn. ¶1, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595 & 596 (19 passages — hover a number to read it)

Compendium of Moral Theology

Aloysius Sabetti, S.J., and Timothy Barrett, S.J.

Vol. I, Treatise V. On Virtues, n. 151 — Virtue, generally, is a habit of acting according to right order. Virtues are distinguished in many ways; for they are 1st. natural or supernatural, according as they are acquired and increased by natural powers, or by t… Read in context →

Summa Summae S. Thomae (Billuart)

Charles-René Billuart, O.P.

Billuart, Summa Summae, Tomus II. On the Prima Sec…, On the Passions and the Vi…, On the Virtues, n. 1 — D. Thomas, q. 55.Read in context →

The Catechism Explained: An Exhaustive Exposition of the Christian Religion

Francis Spirago; edited by Richard F. Clarke, S.J. — 345 passages

Pt. II, Vice and Virtue, Perfection, B. GOOD WORKS, VIRTUE, SIN, VICE, n. ¶1 — Hitherto the will of God (the commandments) has been the subject treated of. In the following pages we shall speak of the fulfilment of the divine will and the transgression thereof. Good works are the result of the acco… Read in context →

Pt. II, Vice and Virtue, Perfection, B. GOOD WORKS, VIRTUE, SIN, VICE, I. GOOD WORKS, nn. ¶1–¶24 (24 passages)

Pt. II, Vice and Virtue, Perfection, B. GOOD WORKS, VIRTUE, SIN, VICE, II. VIRTUE, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8, ¶9, ¶10, ¶11 & ¶12 (12 passages — hover a number to read it)