The Cause of Virtues

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

Virtues of the natural order are acquired by repeatedgood acts. But virtues of the supernatural order are, bytheir name and definition, beyond the reach of nature, andtherefore cannot be acquired by repeated natural acts, however goodthese may be.

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

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