Teaching And Virtue

Necessarius ad disciplinam bonus omnibus sermo, plenus prudentiae: et mens rationi intenta praecurrit virtutibus, passiones coercet. Docibilis enim virtus. Denique studio et discendo acquiritur, dissimulando amittur. Alioquin nisi sermo bonus necessarius esset ad correctionem, numquam Lex diceret: Non adulterabis. Sed quia nudus sermo ad monendum utilis, ad persuadendum infirmus est, ideo adhibenda est rationis rectae consideratio, ut quod sermo bonus praescripsit, ratio plenius tractata persuadeat. Non enim servili ad obediendum constringimur necessitate, sed voluntate arbitra, sive ad virtutem propendemus, sive ad culpam inclinamur. Et ideo nos aut liber affectus ad errorem trahit, aut voluntas revocat, rationem secuta. Sanctus Ambrosius Mediolanensis, De Jacob Et Vita Beata, Liber I, Caput I Source: Migne PG 14.627a-628a

Good discourse full of prudence is necessary for the training of all. The mind intent on reason runs ahead to the virtues, restraining the passions. Virtue is teachable. Thus by study and learning it is acquired and by ignorance it is lost. Unless good discourse were necessary for correction, never would the law have said: 'Do not commit adultery.' 1 But though the bare word is useful for monition, it is weak for persuasion, and so one must take to the consideration of reason, so that which good speech prescribes reason with full examination may persuade. For we are not constrained to obedience by servile necessity, but by free will we either incline to virtue or fall into vice. And so either free affection draws us to error, or, the will restraining us, reason is followed. Saint Ambrose of Milan, On Jacob and the Good Life, Book 1, Chapter 1 1 Exod 20.14