Sarah Mitchell
The 64 virtues of Catholic Christianity are based on the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas. These virtues are 'hinged' upon four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. The theological virtues are faith, hope, and charity. The virtues are integral parts of a whole, much like a house must have a foundation, walls, and a roof to be called a house.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cardinal Virtues | Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance |
| Theological Virtues | Faith, Hope, Charity |
| Human Virtues | Attitudes, Stable Dispositions, Habitual Perfections of Intellect and Will |
| Virtue of Prudence | Memory, Understanding, Docility, Shrewdness, Reason, Foresight, Caution, Circumspection |
| Virtue of Justice | Rendering to Man What Is His Rightful Due |
| Virtue of Fortitude | Bravery, Courage, Toughness, Grit, Willpower |
| Virtue of Temperance | Moderation of Pleasures, Balance in Use of Created Goods, Mastery Over Instincts |
| Gifts of the Holy Spirit | Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord |
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The four cardinal virtues
The Catholic Church recognizes 64 virtues, of which four are considered cardinal virtues. The four cardinal virtues are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
These four virtues are pivotal and fundamental, forming the foundation on which all other virtues stand. They are called "cardinal" because they are derived from the Latin word "cardo," which means "hinge." These virtues were initially derived from Plato in the Republic Book IV, 426-435, and were later expounded upon by Aristotle in the Nicomachean Ethics.
Prudence is the virtue that allows one to discern the appropriate course of action in a given situation. It is not to be confused with timidity or fear but is rather the ability to choose the right means to achieve one's goals. St. Thomas Aquinas describes it as "right reason in action."
Justice is the moral virtue that involves giving God and one's fellow human beings what is rightfully due to them. This includes praise and worship of God, as well as treating every person with dignity and respect, regardless of one's personal feelings towards them.
Fortitude is the moral virtue that provides firmness in difficulties and constancy in pursuing the good. It enables one to conquer fear, even the fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions bravely. Fortitude can lead one to renounce and sacrifice their life in defense of a just cause.
Temperance is the virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures that one's desires remain within the limits of what is honorable and helps to master instincts, leading to a life that is sober, upright, and godly.
These four cardinal virtues are essential in Catholic teaching, providing a framework for moral living and a guide for one's conduct and relationships with God and others.
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The theological virtues
The three theological virtues in Catholicism are Faith, Hope, and Charity (or Love). These virtues are considered gifts from God, and they guide, direct, and give life to all other virtues. They are so called because they have God as their object and are infused into our souls by God alone. They are also differentiated from other virtues by their divine origin, as they cannot be obtained by human effort.
Faith enables believers to believe in God and accept what He has revealed as truth, as He is Truth Himself. This includes acknowledging that He has revealed Himself through His Word, which is incarnate in Jesus Christ, and through the Church He established. This faith then compels Christians to turn their lives over to Him and act accordingly, with the understanding that there is no faith without works.
Hope is the virtue that helps Christians desire and seek their ultimate good and happiness, which is believed to be eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. It keeps believers focused on the eternal goal beyond this life, especially during trials and tribulations. Hope enables Christians to trust in Christ's promises and persevere in living out their faith, knowing that their reward is in heaven.
Charity, or Love, is the virtue that fulfills the two greatest commandments revealed by Jesus. It involves loving God with all one's heart, soul, and mind and loving one's neighbor as oneself. Unlike the secular understanding of love as a feeling, the Catholic virtue of authentic charity views love as a choice. This means that one can willfully choose loving actions toward another, especially when it is difficult or undeserved.
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Temperance
The concept of temperance is often associated with self-control and self-restraint, particularly in the use of food and drink, and venereal pleasures. It is not about abstaining from these pleasures entirely but rather about enjoying them in moderation and avoiding unhealthy excesses. For example, abstinence as a subordinate virtue of temperance prescribes restraint in the consumption of food and drink, opposing the vices of gluttony and drunkenness. Similarly, chastity, another subordinate virtue of temperance, regulates the sensual satisfactions connected with the propagation of the human species, with lust being its contrary vice.
Practising temperance can help individuals maintain physical and mental health, avoid addiction and unhealthy cravings, and lead a morally good life. It is important to note that temperance does not advocate for joyless consumption or a life devoid of pleasure. Rather, it encourages the virtuous enjoyment of pleasures, where one exercises prudence and moderation.
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Fortitude
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that fortitude is a "stable disposition" that "governs our actions, orders our passions, and guides our conduct according to reason and faith." It is a human virtue that is acquired by human effort and is the "fruit and seed of morally good acts."
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Truthfulness
The concept of truthfulness in Catholicism revolves around being truthful in words and deeds, and avoiding duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy. This means that Catholics should strive to align their thoughts, words, and actions with the reality of God's truth, especially when confronted with confusion and lies in the world. By doing so, they can courageously proclaim Christ and His teachings.
Thomas Aquinas, a renowned Catholic theologian, emphasised the importance of mutual confidence in truthfulness. He stated that people cannot live together harmoniously without trusting that they are being truthful to one another. When individuals live in falsehood and perpetuate lies, it has serious consequences not only for their personal integrity but also for the community and society as a whole.
Lying is considered a direct offense against truthfulness and is denounced in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is described as speaking or acting against the truth to lead someone into error, which goes against the fundamental relationship between man and God. The gravity of a lie is determined by various factors, including the nature of the truth it distorts, the intentions behind it, and the harm caused to its victims.
In conclusion, truthfulness is a critical virtue in Catholicism, promoting sincerity and honesty in speech and actions. It is essential for maintaining mutual trust, upholding justice and charity, and reflecting the divine truth of God.
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Frequently asked questions
The four cardinal virtues are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. These are the virtues upon which all others hinge.
Prudence is the virtue that allows one to discern their true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it. It is not to be confused with timidity, fear, duplicity, or dissimulation.
Fortitude is the virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of good. It is derived from the Latin word 'fortis', meaning strength. It empowers one to conquer fear, face trials, and persevere in the face of obstacles.
The three theological virtues are faith, hope, and charity. These virtues are the foundation of Christian moral activity and enable Christians to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity.
