The Commentary to “The Basket of Conduct” defines the perfection of

morality as follows:

“Virtue (síla) has the characteristic of composing (sílana, observing);

coordinating (samadhana) and establishing (patithana) are also mentioned as its characteristic.

Its function is to dispel moral depravity,

or its function is blameless conduct;

its manifestation is moral purity;

shame and moral dread are its proximate cause.”