The Morals of the Catholic Church
387–388
| Name and Summary | Pages |
|---|---|
This chapter argues that true understanding of Scriptures comes from seeking guidance from knowledgeable and sincere teachers within the Church, rather than from superficial critics or the uninformed. | 2 |
This chapter explains that, in the natural order, authority should typically precede reasoning, but in discussions with people who favor argument, Augustine chooses to prioritize reasoning out of compassion. | 1 |
This chapter discusses the concept of happiness and the nature of man's chief good, emphasizing that true happiness depends on possessing and loving the highest good. | 2 |
This chapter explores the nature of what constitutes man, questioning whether man is primarily the body, the soul, or both in conjunction. | 2 |
This chapter asserts that the chief good of the body—and ultimately of man—is the soul, which provides life and vigor, surpassing bodily pleasures or attributes. | 2 |
This chapter explores whether virtue can exist independently of the soul or only within it, ultimately asserting that the pursuit of virtue involves following something beyond oneself, namely God or a wise person. | 2 |
This chapter emphasizes the difficulty of perceiving and understanding God's divine truth due to human weakness and limited perception. | 2 |
This chapter emphasizes that the primary Christian duty is to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, as taught by Jesus and reinforced by Paul. | 1 |
This chapter argues that the teachings about love and suffering in the scriptures are harmonious and fully supported by both the Old Testament and the New Testament, particularly in the writings of Paul. | 3 |
This chapter emphasizes that true worship involves understanding and revering the one true God, as revealed through Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church, countering misconceptions about God's nature. | 3 |
This chapter emphasizes that true happiness is found in loving and nearness to God, who is the ultimate and unseparable source of good. | 3 |
This chapter emphasizes that humans are separated from God primarily by their love for created things rather than any other creature. | 2 |
This chapter emphasizes that true happiness and proper living are rooted in loving and seeking virtue, wisdom, and truth, which reveal the essence of God in Christ Jesus. | 2 |
This chapter asserts that the highest object of love and praise for humanity is the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who is the source of all things. | 1 |
This chapter presents the idea that true virtue is embodied in perfect love of God, which encompasses four distinct virtues rooted in different forms of love. | 1 |
This chapter explains how the virtues and divine wisdom described in the Old Testament correspond to the teachings about Christ and the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. | 3 |
This chapter emphasizes that the God of both Testaments is unified and that divine wisdom is accessible through love and sincere seeking. | 3 |
This chapter emphasizes that true wisdom and happiness are found only within Catholic teaching, contrasting it with the false teachings of the Manichæans. | 2 |
This chapter emphasizes the importance of temperance as a virtue that preserves integrity and draws us closer to God by restraining passions and avoiding worldly desires. | 2 |
This chapter explains that bodily delights originate from sensory objects, with light and visible things being the most prominent among them. | 1 |
This chapter emphasizes that true spiritual value lies in serving Christ rather than gaining earthly recognition or material knowledge. | 3 |
This chapter emphasizes that true fortitude involves enduring loss and suffering for the love of God, rather than earthly possessions. | 2 |
This chapter emphasizes the importance of patience and fortitude in the face of suffering, highlighting examples from both the Old and New Testaments. | 2 |
This chapter emphasizes that justice, prudence, and service to God are fundamental principles guiding a Christian's moral life. | 2 |
This chapter emphasizes that true human perfection and eternal life are achieved through loving and knowing God completely, which encompasses the virtues of temperance, fortitude, justice, and prudence. | 2 |
This chapter emphasizes that true love of oneself naturally leads to love of God and neighbor, and underscores the importance of benevolence and preventing harm in human relationships. | 3 |
This chapter discusses the nature of charity and compassion as essential virtues in caring for both the body and soul of others. | 2 |
This chapter emphasizes that discipline is essential for restoring the health of the mind, comparing it to medical treatment for the body, and highlights the importance of divine medicine in healing spiritual ailments. | 3 |
This chapter emphasizes the importance of trusting the authority of Scripture and warns against the frivolous doubts and accusations raised by opponents. | 3 |
This chapter emphasizes the moral teachings of the Catholic Church, highlighting its focus on loving God and neighbor, and the importance of pure worship, charity, and virtuous conduct across all human relationships. | 3 |
This chapter describes the exemplary lives of true Christians who live in pure devotion, abstaining from worldly pleasures and dedicating themselves to prayer, community, and service. | 4 |
This chapter emphasizes that the moral excellence of the Catholic Church extends beyond a few exemplary individuals to include many bishops, priests, deacons, and ministers who uphold their virtues despite the inherent difficulties. | 1 |
This chapter emphasizes that true Christian practice centers on charity and mutual consideration, rather than strict adherence to dietary customs. | 4 |
This chapter emphasizes the importance of genuine piety and righteousness over superficial displays of religion, criticizing hypocritical practices and false pretenses among those claiming to be Christian or religious. | 2 |
This chapter emphasizes the inclusivity and spiritual focus of the Catholic Church, asserting that believers can possess worldly goods without being possessed by them. | 4 |