378. What are the human virtues?
(Comp 378) The human virtues are habitual and stable perfections of the intellect
and will that govern our actions, order our passions and guide our conduct
according to reason and faith. They are acquired and strengthened by the
repetition of morally good acts and they are purified and elevated by divine
grace.
“In brief”
(CCC 1839)
The moral virtues grow through education, deliberate acts, and perseverance in
struggle. Divine grace purifies and elevates them.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 1804) Human virtues are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual
perfections of intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions,
and guide our conduct according to reason and faith. They make possible ease,
self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good life. The virtuous man is he
who freely practices the good. The moral virtues are acquired by human effort.
They are the fruit and seed of morally good acts; they dispose all the powers
of the human being for communion with divine love.
Reflection
(CCC 1810)
Human virtues acquired by education, by deliberate acts and by a perseverance
ever-renewed in repeated efforts are purified and elevated by divine grace.
With God's help, they forge character and give facility in the practice of the
good. The virtuous man is happy to practice them. (CCC 1811) It is not easy for man, wounded by sin, to maintain
moral balance. Christ's gift of salvation offers us the grace necessary to
persevere in the pursuit of the virtues. Everyone should always ask for this
grace of light and strength, frequent the sacraments, cooperate with the Holy
Spirit, and follow his calls to love what is good and shun evil.
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