Is there any precept among those of the Decalogue which corresponds to the virtue of prudence?
No; for the precepts of the Decalogue formulating
what has reference to the natural reason should bear
upon the ends of human life which are the proper object
of the virtues, and not upon the means which are the
proper object of the virtue of prudence. But all the
precepts are related to prudence in that the latter directs
all the acts of the virtues (LVI. 1).
Since then the precepts are directly related to the virtue of prudence, are they as it were complementary and of later origin?
Yes; and they are to be found in other places in the
inspired books, even in the Old Testament; and later
on in the New Testament (LVI. 2).
Are there not even in the Old Testament certain precepts of
particular consequence that forbid certain sins opposed to the virtue of
prudence?
Yes; they are the precepts relating to slyness, deceit,
and fraud (LVI. 2).
Why are these sins particularly prohibited?
Because in their external application they militate
against justice, which all the precepts of the Decalogue
safeguard (LVI. 2).
Next
- The Catechism of the Summa - SECOND SECTION - A DETAILED SURVEY OF
MAN'S RETURN TO GOD - XVII. OF JUSTICE AND ITS NATURE; OF LAW; OF NATURAL LAW; OF POSITIVE,
PRIVATE, PUBLIC, NATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL, CIVIL, AND ECCLESIASTICAL
LAW -- OF LEGAL JUSTICE AND OF PARTICULAR -- OF THE SINS OPPOSED THERETO (A)
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