The Connection of Virtues With One Another

Moral virtues are connected with one another. St.Ambrose (In Luc. vi 20) says that the virtues are linked together “so that whoever has one is seen to have several.” All the moral virtues have their mean or measure in conformity with right reason, and virtue shines through virtue inthe human conduct which is regulated by right reason. However, when we consider the moral virtues, not in themselves essentially or in reference to reason which is consistently right, but as practiced by imperfect man, we find them disconnected. Thus a man may havethe virtue of liberality and lack the virtue of temperance.

There can be no supernatural moral virtue without supernatural charity which is the infused moral virtue of love and friendship with God.

With the infusion of supernatural charity, all supernatural moral virtues are given to man, for these are so many means of executing the mandates of charity. Charity directs man to his last end; it is the principle of all good works directed to that end. Hence charity must bring the supernatural moral virtues along with it, since one cannot have charity without these moralvirtues.

Nor can supernatural faith be perfectly possessed without charity.

Charity, which is supernatural love and friendship with God, brings supernatural faith and supernatural hope along with itto the soul of man. Unless a responsible person supernaturallybelieve in God and hope to attain him, he cannot be in God’s love and friendship. No one can love a being which he does not believe, nor can a person have true friendship for a being whose presence and favor he does not hope to share.