The Cause of Virtues

Virtues, even those called natural because they can be acquired by man’s natural powers and efforts, are not in man by his nature. For whatever belongs to the nature of man is found in all men, and is not lost by man’s defection or sin.

Virtues of the natural order are acquired by repeated good acts. But virtues of the supernatural order are, by their name and definition, beyond the reach of nature, and therefore cannot be acquired by repeated natural acts, however good these may be.

God infuses the supernatural virtues of faith, hope,and charity; He also infuses such other virtues as correspond to these three and renders them effective.

Acquired virtues are essentially distinct from infusedvirtues. Of the infused virtues, St. Augustine says that “God works them in us without us.” But we have to work to possess the acquired virtues.