It is a very evil person who is completely devoid of all virtue. And not being that evil, we surely all possess certain virtues—some of which may be weaker and others more developed. The distribution between weaker and more developed virtues is significantly linked to spiritual, psychological, and physical factors present and operative since early childhood. Thus, the faith and devotion of one born into a religiously devout family with parents as worthy models, is more likely to be deeper and more stable than one born into an irreligious family in which parents were models of vices and unholy living. The dishonest steward—in today’s gospel—seems to have possessed the virtue of prudence, for which he was commended. He reminds us that by identifying any virtues we already have, we can employ these in striving towards those we currently lack. Thus, one who is naturally patient can utilize this virtue in persevering along the narrow way of conversion, even when progress seems either slow or nonexistent. Indeed, Evagrius taught that as a transitional measure, even a vice can be used to weaken another vice. For as he points out, sometimes the soul must rouse itself with anger against the demon of fornication, lest it be overcome by softness and pleasure. Similarly, the shame associated with lust can curb tendencies towards pride and vainglory. So, rather than decry the virtues we don’t yet possess, let us use those we have already been blessed with to attain to our full stature of perfection in Christ.