Choose a topic from Part 2A:
1. Although moral virtue is an appetitive habit, it is nota passion. Passion is properly of the sentient order; moral virtuebelongs to the intellective order and specifically to the will.Besides, passions in themselves are neither good nor bad in a moralsense, and moral virtues are necessarily good.
2. The passions (called "passions of the soul"because they rise readily to the intellective order through thewill's permission, and exercise influence there) are compatiblewith moral virtues as long as they remain in line with reason.Indeed, when rightly ordered, the passions enhance moral virtue, asis manifest in the man who exercises the works of justice with loveand joy.
3. Even the passion of sorrow is compatible with moralvirtue if it be sorrow for what thwarts or opposes that virtue.
4. Moral virtues serve the will by giving right directionto all that comes under the rule of reason; this includes thepassions of the soul and the intellectual operations.
5. Moral virtues bring the passions along with them oroverflow into the passions. Thus perfect justice is not a thingcoldly aloof, but joyous; and joy is a passion.
"If, devout soul, it is your will to please God and live a life of serenity in this world, unite yourself always and in all things to the divine will. Reflect that all the sins of your past wicked life happened because you wandered from the path of God's will. For the future, embrace God's good pleasure and say to him in every happening: "Yea, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight." "
St Alphonsus de Liguori
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"The more you know and the better you understand, the more severely will you be judged, unless your life is also the more holy. Do not be proud, therefore, because of your learning or skill. Rather, fear because of the talent given you."
Thomas á Kempis
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"For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the love of God?"
Thomas á Kempis
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