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The cardinal virtues are four virtues of mind and character in classical philosophy. They are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. They form a virtue theory of ethics. The term cardinal comes from the Latin cardo (hinge); [1] these four virtues are called "cardinal" because all other virtues fall under them and hinge upon them. [2]
Temperance is a major Athenian virtue, as advocated by Plato; self-restraint (sôphrosune) is one of his four core virtues of the ideal city. In " Charmides ", one of Plato's early dialogues, an attempt is made to describe temperance, but fails to reach an adequate definition.
The term "cardinal virtues" (virtutes cardinales) was first used by the 4th-century theologian Ambrose, [1] who defined the four virtues as "temperance, justice, prudence, and fortitude". [2] These were also named as cardinal virtues by Augustine of Hippo , and were subsequently adopted by the Catholic Church .
Through the writings of Lactantius, St. Ambrose and St. Augustine, the virtue's meaning as temperance or "proper mixture" became the dominant view in subsequent Western European thought. [16] Sophrosyne, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, is the fourth and final cardinal virtue. [17]
The Stoics believed that the practice of virtue is enough to achieve eudaimonia: a well-lived life. The Stoics identified the path to achieving it with a life spent practicing the four cardinal virtues in everyday life — prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice — as well as living in accordance with
The distinction lies both in their source and end. The moral virtue of temperance recognizes food as a good that sustains life, but guards against the sin of gluttony. The infused virtue of temperance disposes the individual to practice fasting and abstinence. The infused moral virtues are connected to the theological virtue of Charity. [16] [14]
Learn what blue jays symbolize, their spiritual connection to the Bible, if they represent good or bad luck, and what to do if you see a blue jay.
Christian scholars frequently add the four classic cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, temperance, and courage) to the theological virtues to give the seven heavenly virtues; for example, these seven are the ones described in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1803–1829. In Christian tradition courage or fortitude is a gift of ...