Choose a topic from Part 2B:

151. Chastity

1. The word chastity derives from the chastening orrebuking of concupiscence. By such chastening, chastising orcurbing, passion is held in control, and is kept in alignment withright reason. Chastity, therefore, is a virtue inasmuch as itsteadily tends to keep human conduct under the control ofreason.

2. And chastity is a special virtue for it concerns aspecial aspect of good, that is, the controlling, the keepingreasonable, of the tendencies of sex.

3. Chastity is not the same as the virtue of abstinence.For chastity is concerned with the control of sex pleasures,whereas abstinence is directly concerned with the control of thepleasures of the palate.

4. The words purity and chastity are sometimes usedinterchangeably, but they are not perfect synonyms. Chastitydirectly regards the sexual union. Purity refers to allthat is in any way associated with this union. Thus aperson is unchaste if he indulges in unlawful coition. Buta person is impure by reason of thoughts, imaginings,words, desires, and actions that have an unlawful sexual reference.Unchastity involves impurity, but impurity can exist withoutunchastity.

"Let no one wear a mask, otherwise he will do ill; and if he has one, let him burn it."
St Philip Neri

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"We must not be behind time in doing good; for death will not be behind his time. "
St Phillip Neri

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"Let persons in the world sanctify themselves in their own houses, for neither the court, professions, or labour, are any hindrance to the service of God."
St Philip Neri

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