---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: St. Thomas Aquinas understood virtues to…"
description: "\"“St. Thomas Aquinas understood virtues to be habitual or abiding dispositions that help us to realize the good in our decisions and actions. These habi..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abb/mark-o-keefe-260298_character_st-thomas-aquinas-understood-virtues-to_2089385.jpg"
---

#  St. Thomas Aquinas understood virtues to be habitual or…

![“St. Thomas Aquinas understood virtues to be habitual or abiding dispositions that help us to realize the good in our decisions and actions. These habitual dispositions, acquired through repetition and an effort over time (and, at the same time, given to us by God through grace), make accomplishing…” quote by Mark O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abb/mark-o-keefe-260298_character_st-thomas-aquinas-understood-virtues-to_2089385.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abb/mark-o-keefe-260298_character_st-thomas-aquinas-understood-virtues-to_2089385.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abb/mark-o-keefe-260298_character_st-thomas-aquinas-understood-virtues-to_2089385.jpg)

> ““St. Thomas Aquinas understood virtues to be habitual or abiding dispositions that help us to realize the good in our decisions and actions. These habitual dispositions, acquired through repetition and an effort over time (and, at the same time, given to us by God through grace), make accomplishing the good easier, more immediate, requiring less internal deliberation and struggle.””

[Mark O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-o-keefe/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Repeated virtuous actions become habits, making moral decisions easier and requiring less internal struggle.

**In simple terms:** Habitual virtues simplify good decision‑making.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate virtues through consistent practice.

Themes

ethics habit formation virtue spirituality self‑improvement

Mood

educational inspirational

Type

character:1 virtues:1 thomas aquinas:1 understood virtues:1 virtuous habitual:1 habitual dispositions:1

When to use this quote

- daily virtue exercises
- spiritual formation
- behavioral training

Key Concepts

habitual dispositions grace assistance moral psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- Which virtues need most practice?
- How does grace influence habit formation?

A Different Perspective

Virtues alone may not guarantee ethical outcomes.

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[Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Habitual Dispositions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habitual-dispositions-4123377/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thomas-aquinas/) [Understood Virtues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understood-virtues-433428/) [Virtues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtues/) [Virtues Habitual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtues-habitual-4123376/)

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