Choose a topic from Part 2B:
1. The word chastity derives from the chastening orrebuking of concupiscence. By such chastening, chastising orcurbing, passion is held in control, and is kept in alignment withright reason. Chastity, therefore, is a virtue inasmuch as itsteadily tends to keep human conduct under the control ofreason.
2. And chastity is a special virtue for it concerns aspecial aspect of good, that is, the controlling, the keepingreasonable, of the tendencies of sex.
3. Chastity is not the same as the virtue of abstinence.For chastity is concerned with the control of sex pleasures,whereas abstinence is directly concerned with the control of thepleasures of the palate.
4. The words purity and chastity are sometimes usedinterchangeably, but they are not perfect synonyms. Chastitydirectly regards the sexual union. Purity refers to allthat is in any way associated with this union. Thus aperson is unchaste if he indulges in unlawful coition. Buta person is impure by reason of thoughts, imaginings,words, desires, and actions that have an unlawful sexual reference.Unchastity involves impurity, but impurity can exist withoutunchastity.
"Obedience is the true holocaust which we sacrifice to God on the altar of our hearts."
St Philip Neri
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"Every man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars."
Thomas á Kempis
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"Lord, take from me everything that hinders me from going to You. give me all that will lead me to You. Take me from myself and give me to Yourself."
St Nicholas Flue
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