Religious Obedience

Extract

Non semper aliquis obedit legi ex bonitate perfectae virtutis;

sed quandoque ex timore poenae; quandoque autem ex solo dictamine rationis quod est quoddam principium virtutis (i^a 2^ae. 92. 1. 2^m).

It is not always through perfect goodness of virtue that one obeys the law;

but sometimes it is through fear of punishment; and sometimes from a mere dictate of reason which is a beginning of virtue.