cardinal virtue
Foundational ethical trait
Cardinal virtues are the four fundamental moral qualities identified in classical philosophy: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
These were considered the hinge on which all other virtues turn—cardinal derives from the Latin word for hinge.
In Christian theology, the cardinal virtues are distinguished from the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, which are considered gifts from God rather than qualities developed through human effort.
Greek philosopher, academy founder
- AristotleGreek founder of formal logic
- AquinasScholastic philosopher-theologian surname
- StoicismVirtue-centered ancient philosophy
- SocraticRelating to elenctic inquiry
Platonic · Aristotelian · ancient Greek · scholastic · Republic · Nicomachean Ethics · Summa Theologica · natural law
Trust without proof
- hopeDesire for good outcomes
- charityVoluntary aid for others
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- Catholic teachingOfficial Roman church doctrine
Christian ethics · sanctification · beatitudes · divine gift
Fortitude facing danger
- braveryBoldness before danger
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
steadfastness · moral courage · patience · long-suffering · tenacity · valor · mettle · resolve
Good judgment from experience
- discernmentKeen perception and judgment
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- sagacityPenetrating mental acuity
practical wisdom · deliberation · circumspection · discretion · caution · insight · understanding · acumen
Just and equal treatment
- equityImpartial treatment or ownership value
- impartialityFreedom from prejudice
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- social justiceFair distribution of opportunities
redress · adjudication · arbitration · due process · lawfulness · rectitude · retribution · remedy
Avoidance of excess
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- restraintControl over impulses
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- sobrietyUnimpaired mental state
chastity · abstinence · continence · self-discipline · equanimity · frugality · measured response · self-mastery
Plato
Greek philosopher, academy founder
- AristotleGreek founder of formal logic
- AquinasScholastic philosopher-theologian surname
- StoicismVirtue-centered ancient philosophy
Socratic · Platonic · Aristotelian · ancient Greek · scholastic · Republic · Nicomachean Ethics · Summa Theologica · natural law · moral philosophy
faith
Trust without proof
Catholic teaching · Christian ethics · sanctification · beatitudes · divine gift
courage
Fortitude facing danger
- braveryBoldness before danger
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
resilience · steadfastness · moral courage · patience · long-suffering · tenacity · valor · mettle · resolve · constancy
wisdom
Good judgment from experience
- discernmentKeen perception and judgment
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
sagacity · practical wisdom · deliberation · circumspection · discretion · caution · insight · understanding · acumen · perspicacity
fairness
Just and equal treatment
- equityImpartial treatment or ownership value
- impartialityFreedom from prejudice
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
social justice · redress · adjudication · arbitration · due process · lawfulness · rectitude · retribution · remedy · jurisprudence
moderation
Avoidance of excess
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- restraintControl over impulses
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
sobriety · chastity · abstinence · continence · self-discipline · equanimity · frugality · measured response · self-mastery · asceticism
cardinal virtuecardinal sin
Fundamental moral violation
deadly sin · mortal sin · vice · depravity · wickedness
cardinal, virtue, cardinals, virtues, virtuous, virtuously, virtuousness, virtuosity, virtuoso