Can we become virtuous by exercising our will?

I’m writing a column on morals in the Haily Mail
Is that Catholic?
It certainly caters for all.
So what do you know about morals?
There’s usually a moral in a story so maybe I’ll do it metaphorically.
Quicker to come straight out with it.
That’s once you know what it is
Well,by now you ought to.
There,see, you assume that being old means we have developed some morals or at least ideas about them.
So the old are more moral?
It depends if knowing is enough.
In fact it’s not,is it?
Can we be virtuous by exercising our will?
Or  our  won’t?
I don’t think so except in a negative way.By avoiding places or people who lead you into sin
That’s not as simple as it appears.
Why not?
Because in our human fashion we believe priests,vicars,rabbis or Popes are good people.So we mix with them freely.Yet is that not the disguise that Satan would adopt?
Yes, one might be better off mixing with prostitutes and thieves as at least you know what they might offer you.
Well sex workers are not immoral.
Because in our system some women can’t earn enough?
Some high class tarts might  enjoy it being taken to the best clubs,theatres and so on. I’m merely recalling an old Morse story.But the other  ones must be afraid and might be in pain.
Thieves might break the law but that may not be a sin.
That’s a relief,I just stole a breath!
Only God knows whether a bad tempered old codger who kicks the dog is sinful or merely being too wise to kick his wife.
And what is legal may be a sin.Like dodging tax when we are all suffering from the cuts to the NHS.
Everything is upside down.The low and the petty criminals may be quite holy and the priests and rabbis may be wicked,at least a good many may be
Yes, it’s wise to be on your guard with those who frequently mention their religion,God, the Bible, and so on.For the good do their works in secret.And no not boast of it.After all,what are their motives?
I’ve had a few knocks from the religious here on the Web but the lowly have  never harmed me.And I hope I’ve not harmed them.
Amen