Seven virtues

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines virtue as "an habitual and firm disposition to do the good."[1] Traditionally, the seven Christian virtues or heavenly virtues combine the four classical cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temperance and courage (or fortitude) with the three theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. These were adopted by the Church Fathers as the seven virtues.

Cardinal virtues

The Greek philosophers Aristotle and Plato, regarded temperance, wisdom, justice, and courage as the four most desirable character traits. The Book of Wisdom is one of the seven Sapiential Books included in the Septuagint. Wisdom 8:7 states that the fruits of Wisdom "...are virtues; For she teaches moderation and prudence, justice and fortitude, and nothing in life is more useful for men than these."

The moral virtues are attitudes, dispositions, and good habits that govern one's actions, passions, and conduct according to reason; and are acquired by human effort.[2] Immanuel Kant said, "Virtue is the moral strength of the will in obeying the dictates of duty".[3] The cardinal virtues are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.

Philosophers recognized the interrelatedness of the virtues such that courage without prudence risks becoming mere foolhardiness. Aquinas found an interconnection of practical wisdom (prudentia) and moral virtue. This is frequently termed "the Unity of the Virtues."[7] Aquinas also argued that it not only matters what a person does but how the person does it. The person must aim at a good end and also make a right choice about the means to that end. The moral virtues direct the person to aim at a good end, but to insure that the person make the right choices about the means to a good end, one needs practical wisdom.[8]

Theological virtues

The traditional understanding of the differences in the natures of Cardinal and Theological virtues, is that the latter are not fully accessible to humans in their natural state without assistance from God. "All virtues have as their final scope to dispose man to acts conducive to his true happiness. The happiness, however, of which man is capable is twofold, namely, natural, which is attainable by man's natural powers, and supernatural, which exceeds the capacity of unaided human nature. Since, therefore, merely natural principles of human action are inadequate to a supernatural end, it is necessary that man be endowed with supernatural powers to enable him to attain his final destiny. Now these supernatural principles are nothing else than the theological virtues."[6]

Seven heavenly virtues and seven deadly sins

A list of seven heavenly virtues that oppose the seven deadly sins appeared later in an epic poem titled Psychomachia, or Battle/Contest of the Soul. Written by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, a Christian governor who died around 410 AD, it entails the battle between good virtues and evil vices. The enormous popularity of this work in the Middle Ages helped to spread the concept of holy virtue throughout Europe. The virtues are identified as chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility. Practicing them is said to protect one against temptation from the seven deadly sins.

Virtue Latin Gloss (Sin) (Latin) Virtue's Meaning
Chastity Castitas Purity Lust Luxuria
  • Discretion of sexual conduct according to one's state in life.
Temperance Temperantia Humanity, abstinence, equanimity Gluttony Gula
Charity Caritas Will, benevolence, generosity, sacrifice Greed Avaritia
  • Generosity, charity, self-sacrifice; Charity—or love (agäpé)—is the greatest of the three theological virtues. "Caritas" is distinguished by being divinely infused into the soul—and by its residing in the will rather than emotions.
Diligence Industria Persistence, effort, ethics Sloth Acedia
  • A zealous and careful nature in one's actions and work; decisive work ethic, and perseverance.
  • Budgeting one's time; monitoring one's own activities to guard against laziness.
Patience Patientia Forgiveness, mercy, sufferance Wrath Ira
  • Forbearance reflecting moderation. Building a sense of peaceful stability and harmony rather than conflict, hostility, and antagonism; resolving issues and arguments respectfully, as opposed to resorting to anger and fighting.
  • Showing forgiveness and being merciful.
Kindness Humanitas Satisfaction, compassion Envy Invidia
Humility Humilitas Bravery, modesty, reverence Pride Superbia
  • Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. It is a spirit of self-examination; a hermeneutic of suspicion toward yourself and charity toward others.
  • Ignorance breeds pride. Pride is not the opposite of shame, but the source of it. Knowledge breeds humility. Humility is the antidote to shame.
  • Humility is the courage of the heart necessary to undertake tasks which are difficult, tedious or unglamorous, and to graciously accept the sacrifices involved. Giving credit where credit is due; not unduly glorifying one's own self.
  • Refraining from despair; the ability to confront fear and uncertainty, or intimidation.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Catechism of the Catholic Church, §1803
  2. ↑ CCC §1804
  3. 1 2 Rickaby, John. "Fortitude." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 6 April 2017
  4. ↑ Prudence – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-webster.com (2012-08-31).
  5. ↑ CCC §1806
  6. 1 2 3 Waldron, Martin Augustine. "Virtue." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 6 April 2017
  7. ↑ Annas, Julia. The Morality of Happiness (Oxford; Oxford University Press, 1993), pp. 73–84
  8. ↑ Aquinas. Commentary on the Nicomachean Ethics, Book VI, Lecture XI, ##1279–1280
  9. ↑ Robert Grosseteste II Dicta

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Virtue". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton. 

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