Indeed, although a person can lead a life of any of the three types

“Indeed, although a person can lead a life of any of the three types – contemplative, active or a combination of both – and gain an eternal reward, provided he preserves his faith, neverthe less what he keeps out of love of truth and what he spends out of the duty of charity does make a difference, A man ought neither to lead such a contemplative life that in his leisure he does not consider the welfare of his neighbours, nor to lead so active a life that he does not seek the contemplation of God” (City of God XIX, 19)