On the Duties of our State of Life

COMPENDIUM

These duties comprise the obligations implied by our own particular state of life, and by the conditions of the calling which we have to follow. God Himself it is who has assigned to each state of life its own particular duties, because these are derived from His Commandments. To take an example: In the name of father or mother are included all our superiors, and therefore from the Fourth Commandment are derived all the duties of obedience, love and respect of inferiors towards their superiors, and all the duties of vigilance due from superiors with regard to their inferiors. In the same way, we may deduce the duties of faithfulness, sincerity, justice and equity, of artisans, merchants, and stewards of other people's property, and the like, from the Seventh, Eighth, and Tenth Commandments, which forbids cheating, dishonesty, carelessness and duplicity; and the duties of persons devoted to the service of God are derived from the Second Commandment, which orders them to fulfill their vows and promises made to God, such people being bound in every way to keep all or some of the evangelical counsels.

CATECHISM

508. What are the particular duties of one's state of life?

The particular duties of one's state of life comprise the obligations implied by our own particular manner of living, and by the conditions of the calling which we have to follow.

509. Who assigned to each state of life its own particular duties?

God Himself it is who has assigned to each state of life its own particular duties, because these are derived from His Commandments.

510. Name an example of how particular duties are derived from God's Commandments.

To take an example: In the name of father or mother are included all our superiors, and therefore from the Fourth Commandment are derived all the duties of obedience, love and respect of inferiors towards their superiors, and all the duties of vigilance due from superiors with regard to their inferiors.

511. From which Commandments are derived the particular duties of artisans, merchants, and stewards of other people's property, and the like?

The particular duties of artisans, merchants, and stewards of other people's property, and the like, from the Seventh, Eighth, and Tenth Commandments, which forbids cheating, dishonesty, carelessness and duplicity.

512. From which Commandments are derived the particular duties of persons devoted to the service of God?

The duties of persons devoted to the service of God are derived from the Second Commandment, which orders them to fulfill their vows and promises made to God, such people being bound in every way to keep all or some of the evangelical counsels.