# Law, Moral ## Catechism of the Catholic Church A rule of conduct established by competent authority for the common good. In biblical terms, the _moral_ law is the fatherly instruction of God, setting forth the ways which lead to happiness and proscribing those which lead to evil. The _divine_ or eternal law can be either _natural_ or revealed (_positive_). Natural moral law is inscribed in the heart, and known by human reason. Revealed law is found in the _ancient_law (Old Testament), notably the ten commandments, and in the _new_ law (Law of the Gospel), the teaching of Christ, notably the Sermon on the Mount, which perfects the ancient law ([[3.1.3.1.p6t#^ccc-1950|1950]]-[[3.1.3.1.p6w#^ccc-1974|1974]]).