Whatsoever things are honorable. If there be any virtue, if there be any praise. Here he willeth them to take thought of those things too which regard men. The things which ye both learned and received. For when we are at peace with Him, and we are so through virtue, much more will He be at peace with us.
Nothing is such an enemy of our nature as vice.
And from many things it is evident, how vice is at enmity with us, and virtue friendly toward us. It makes men subject to reproach, poor, objects of ridicule, despicable to all, just as enemies treat them. And if fornication produces these things, much rather doth adultery. By no means. But as a loving mother setteth her son in great propriety, in good order, in good report, and gives him leisure to engage in necessary work, thus alms-giving doth not release us nor lead us away from our necessary work, but even renders the soul more wise.