Rachel Evans
The seven virtues, also known as the seven lively virtues, are the opposite of the seven deadly sins in Catholic theology. They are often listed as chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, and humility. The seven virtues are believed to guide Christians toward God and away from sin. They are also considered to be fundamental to Christian ethics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cardinal Virtues | Temperance |
| Justice | |
| Prudence | |
| Fortitude | |
| Theological Virtues | Faith |
| Hope | |
| Charity | |
| Other Virtues | Chastity |
| Diligence | |
| Kindness | |
| Patience | |
| Humility |
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What You'll Learn
The seven virtues are opposite to the seven deadly sins
The seven virtues are said to be the opposite of the seven deadly sins. The seven deadly sins are: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. The seven virtues are: faith, hope, charity, prudence, diligence, temperance, and patience.
The seven virtues are also referred to as the seven lively virtues, contrary virtues, or remedial virtues. They are often seen as the inverse of the cardinal sins. The idea of the seven virtues is not unique to Christianity, with the Japanese Samurai's Bushido code also outlining a set of seven virtues, though different from the traditional Christian list.
The seven virtues are made up of four cardinal virtues and three theological virtues. The four cardinal virtues are: prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. These were first defined by the 4th-century theologian Ambrose and were later adopted by the Catholic Church. They are described as ""human virtues" in the Catholic Catechism. The three theological virtues are: faith, hope, and charity. These virtues are considered to be more divine and are thus called "theological".
The seven virtues are seen as a way to combat the seven deadly sins and overcome evil. The cultivation of these virtues is expected to result in good works, such as sheltering strangers, feeding the hungry, and visiting the sick. The Catholic Church teaches that by creating habits to do good and giving the best of oneself, one can become more like God and overcome the temptation of sin.
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The seven virtues are a combination of cardinal and theological virtues
The seven virtues are indeed a combination of four cardinal virtues and three theological virtues. The seven virtues are meant to counter the seven deadly sins and guide Christians toward God. The seven virtues are as follows:
Cardinal Virtues
The four cardinal virtues are considered \"human virtues\" in the Catholic Catechism and are believed to be acquired through education, good actions, and perseverance in the struggle. They are:
- Prudence: The ability to find the good in every situation and choose the right means of achieving it.
- Justice: The constant and firm will to give what is due to God and one's neighbour. Justice is often depicted as a blindfolded woman holding equally balanced scales, signifying that justice should not be prejudiced.
- Temperance: Balance in the use of created goods, using pleasure in moderation, and seeking what is good.
- Fortitude: The demonstration of strength in difficulties and temptations; the ability to overcome fear and other obstacles in one's moral life.
Theological Virtues
The last three virtues are called theological virtues because they relate directly to God. They are considered to be inaccessible to humans in their natural state without divine grace. They are:
- Faith: The virtue by which one believes in God and believes that all He has said and revealed is true.
- Hope: The desire for the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as one's happiness, placing trust in Christ's promises and relying on the grace of the Holy Spirit.
- Charity: Love for God above all else for His own sake and love for one's neighbour as oneself for the love of God. Charity is considered the greatest of the virtues, binding everything together in perfect harmony.
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The cardinal virtues are temperance, justice, prudence, and fortitude
The seven virtues in Catholicism are those that stand in opposition to the seven deadly sins. The seven deadly sins are: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. The seven virtues are seen as a means of overcoming the seven deadly sins and, thus, the evil within us.
The seven virtues are divided into cardinal virtues and theological virtues. The cardinal virtues are human virtues that can be formed through habitual practice. They are: temperance, justice, prudence, and fortitude. Temperance is the balance in the use of created goods, using pleasure in moderation, and seeking that which is good. Justice is meant to be blind, making judgments without prejudice. Prudence is the ability to find the good in every situation and choosing the right means of achieving it. Fortitude is the demonstration of strength in difficulties and temptations, and the ability to overcome fear and other obstacles in one's moral life.
The theological virtues are those that relate directly to God and are not fully accessible to humans in their natural state without assistance from God. They are: faith, hope, and charity. Faith is the virtue by which one believes in God and believes that all He has said and revealed is true. Hope is the desire for the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as one's happiness, placing one's trust in Christ's promises, and relying on the grace of the Holy Spirit. Charity is the love for God above all else for His own sake and the love for one's neighbor as oneself for the love of God.
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The theological virtues are faith, hope, and charity
The seven virtues in Catholicism are believed to point Christians toward God and away from sin. They are considered to be the inverse of the seven deadly sins. The seven virtues combine the four cardinal virtues with the three theological virtues.
The three theological virtues are faith, hope, and charity. These virtues are called theological because they relate directly to God. Faith is the virtue by which one believes in God and believes that all He has said and revealed is true. Hope is the desire for the kingdom of heaven and eternal life, placing trust in Christ's promises and relying not on oneself, but on the grace of the Holy Spirit. Charity, or love, is the greatest of these virtues, as St. Paul writes, and it is defined as loving God above all else and loving one's neighbour as oneself for the love of God.
The seven virtues are not a solely Christian concept, predating Christianity by several centuries. The philosopher Plato listed a few of them, and they are also found in the Old Testament Book of Wisdom. However, within Christianity, the seven virtues were first enumerated by the 5th-century writer Prudentius in his poem Psychomachia, in which each virtue defeats a particular vice. The modern concept of the seven virtues was created by Pope Gregory I in AD 590, revising the previous list of seven deadly sins.
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The seven virtues are human virtues
Chastity
Chastity is included in Prudentius' list of virtues from the 5th century. It is one of the seven virtues that were revised by Pope Gregory I in AD 590.
Temperance
Temperance is one of the four cardinal virtues, first defined by the 4th-century theologian Ambrose as the balance in the use of created goods, using pleasure in moderation, and seeking what is good. It is also one of the seven virtues.
Charity
Charity is one of the three theological virtues, which relate directly to God. It is defined as the love for God above all else for His own sake and love for one's neighbour as oneself for the love of God. Charity is also one of the seven virtues.
Diligence
Diligence is one of the seven virtues.
Kindness
Kindness is one of the seven virtues.
Patience
Patience is one of the seven virtues.
Humility
Humility is included in Prudentius' list of virtues from the 5th century. It is one of the seven virtues that were revised by Pope Gregory I in AD 590.
The seven virtues are not just a list but a way to overcome the seven deadly sins and the evil within us. They are also a way to point Christians towards God. The cultivation of the seven virtues is expected to result in good works, such as sheltering strangers, feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, and more.
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Frequently asked questions
The seven virtues of Catholicism are a means of combating the seven deadly sins. The Vatican's list includes prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, faith, hope, and charity.
The seven deadly sins are: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth.
The four cardinal virtues are prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. They are considered "human virtues" in the Catholic Catechism.
The three theological virtues are faith, hope, and charity. They are called “theological” because they relate directly to God.
Parents can teach their children to be patient, to have good manners, to share, to be kind and compassionate, and to be respectful.
