It is impossible, they would say, for a man to be virtuous, or to be in love with virtue, except he were to lay aside his vicious practices.

The first step to virtue, according both to the Heathen and the Christian philosophy, is to abstain from vice.

We are to cease to do evil, and to learn to do well.

This is the process recommended.

Hence prohibitions are necessary.
Hence sub-causes as well as causes are to be attacked.