Freedom and Virtue

"Freedom is, in truth, a sacred thing. There is only one thing else that better deserves the name: virtue. But then what is virtue if not the free choice of what is good?"
-Alexis de Tocqueville

Wow. That is a powerful statement. Indeed, where is the virtue in doing good because one is compelled? To the contrary, freely choosing to do good when allowed such choice and not being compelled, is the pinnacle of virtuosity.

Again, the critical distinction of the primary issue in the Universe -- God's Plan vs. Satan -- is one of being allowed free choice to do good, or being compelled to be good. I believe God's plan that we be allowed to freely choose good and be truly virtuous is preferrable to Satan's plan that we all be mere obedient cogs in the machinery of his attempt at a shortcut to Godhood, even to displace God.