Is law a sufficient guide for man to live a virtuous life and to avoid the contrary life of sin?
No, the help of grace is also necessary (CIX., CXIV.).
What is meant by grace?
By grace is meant a special help from God that assists him to do good and to avoid evil.
Is this special help from God always necessary for man?
Yes.
Is not man of himself ever able to do any good thing or to avoid any bad thing?
Yes, of himself, that is relying on the principle of his nature given to him by God, and upon the other natural helps around him, man can accomplish certain good acts and avoid certain evil acts even in the moral order or in the domain of virtue; but if God by His grace does not heal human nature which was wounded by sin, man would never be able to accomplish even in the order of natural virtue all the good required of him or to avoid all evil; moreover, in the order of supernatural virtue or as regards the good life that is to win heaven, man by his sole nature, without grace, can do absolutely nothing (CIX. 1-10).
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