The Catechism of the Summa - SECOND SECTION - A DETAILED SURVEY OF MAN'S RETURN TO GOD - IX. OF THE SECONDARY ACTS, OR THE EFFECTS OF CHARITY; OF JOY, PEACE, MERCY, KINDLINESS, ALMSDEEDS AND FRATERNAL CORRECTION (D)

(D)
Are there also any exterior acts which are the proper effect of the virtue of charity by reason of its principal act?

Yes; and one of the first is kindliness (XXXI. 1).

What then is kindliness?

Kindliness, as its very name implies, consists in doing good (ibid.).

Is this act always an act proper to the virtue of charity?

Yes, provided one understands it in the precise sense of doing good to others (ibid.).

Can it also be the act of other virtues distinct from charity that are, however, dependent upon charity?

Yes, it can also be the act of other virtues distinct from, yet dependent upon charity, when to the general reason of doing good is added some special and particular reason, as, for instance, when a thing is due, or necessary, or is a thing of which one has need (ibid.).

What virtue is implied in an act of well-doing when to this is added the particular reason of a thing as due?

In this case the virtue of justice is implied (XXXI. 1, ad 3).

And when in the same act of well-doing, there is found added to the general reason of well-doing the particular reason of something that is necessary or of which one has need, what virtue is implied?

The virtue of mercy (ibid.).

Next - The Catechism of the Summa - SECOND SECTION - A DETAILED SURVEY OF MAN'S RETURN TO GOD - IX. OF THE SECONDARY ACTS, OR THE EFFECTS OF CHARITY; OF JOY, PEACE, MERCY, KINDLINESS, ALMSDEEDS AND FRATERNAL CORRECTION (E)