Cardinal virtues 945930 224378502 2008-07-08T16:19:20Z Carlaude 4622434 /* External links */ In some [[Christian]] traditions, there are four '''cardinal virtues''': *[[Prudence]] - to judge between actions with regard to appropriate actions at a given time *[[justice (virtue)|Justice]] - proper moderation between the self-interest and the rights and needs of others *[[Temperance (virtue)|Restraint or Temperance]] - practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation *[[Courage|Courage or Fortitude]] - forbearance, endurance, and ability to confront fear and uncertainty, or intimidation These were derived initially from [[Plato]]'s scheme (see ''Protagoras'' 330b, which also includes [[piety]] (''hosiotes'')) and adapted by [[Saint Ambrose]], [[Augustine of Hippo]], and [[Thomas Aquinas]] (see ''Summa Theologica'' II(I).61). The term "cardinal" comes from the Latin ''cardo'' or hinge; the cardinal [[virtue|virtues]] are so called because they are hinges upon which the door of the moral life swings. {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+The Cardinal virtues as depicted on the tomb of Pope Clemens II in [[Bamberg Cathedral]] |- ! Iustitia (justice) !! Fortitudo (fortitude) !! Sapienta (prudence) !! Temperantia (temperance) |- | [[Image:Iustitia Papstgrab Bamberg aus Gottfried Henschen u Daniel Papebroch 1747.jpg|125px]] || [[Image:Fortitudo Papstgrab Bamberg aus Gottfried Henschen u Daniel Papebroch 1747.jpg|125px]] || [[Image:Sapientia Papstgrab Bamberg aus Gottfried Henschen u Daniel Papebroch 1747.jpg|125px]] || [[Image:Temperantia Papstgrab Bamberg aus Gottfried Henschen u Daniel Papebroch 1747.jpg|125px]] |} Plato identified them with the classes of the city described in the [[Republic (Plato)|Republic]], and with the faculties of man. '''Temperance''' was associated with the producing classes, the farmers and craftsmen, and with the animal appetites; '''fortitude''' with the warrior class and with the spirited element in man; '''prudence''' with the rulers and with reason. '''Justice''' stands outside the class system and divisions of man, and rules the proper relationship among the three of them. It may have been taken up from there into Jewish philosophy; [[Book of Wisdom|Wisdom]] 8:7 reads, "She [Wisdom] teacheth temperance, and prudence, and justice, and fortitude, which are such things as men can have nothing more profitable in life." It was certainly taken up in Christianity, as St. Augustine, discussing the morals of the church, described them: <blockquote> For these four virtues (would that all felt their influence in their minds as they have their names in their mouths!), I should have no hesitation in defining them: that temperance is love giving itself entirely to that which is loved; fortitude is love readily bearing all things for the sake of the loved object; justice is love serving only the loved object, and therefore ruling rightly; prudence is love distinguishing with sagacity between what hinders it and what helps it. </blockquote> These "cardinal" virtues are not the same as the [[three theological virtues]]: faith, hope, and charity (see 1 Corinthians 13). Together, they comprise what is known as the [[seven cardinal virtues]], also known as the heavenly virtues. == History of the Virtues == While history suggests that the first four date back to [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] philosophers and were applicable to all people seeking to live moral lives, the ''theological virtues'' appear to be specific to [[Christian]]s as written by Paul in [[The New Testament]]. In Genesis, Chapter 28 Jacob describes his vision of a ladder or stairway leading to heaven. In oral tradition, the three principal rungs on the ladder were denominated Faith, Hope and Love. (The [[King James Version]] of the [[Bible]] uses "charity," but "charity" was derived from ''caritas,'' or "love.") These three are mentioned in Chapter 13 of First Corinthians: ''And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.'' Because of this reference, the seven attributes are sometimes grouped as four cardinal virtues (prudence, temperance, fortitude, justice) and three heavenly graces (faith, hope, charity). The cardinal virtues are distinguished from the [[capital virtues]]. The capital virtues are often paired with the much more widely known capital (or "deadly") sins. The capital virtues are: humility, liberality, brotherly love, meekness, chastity, temperance, and diligence. The capital sins, sometimes called the "[[seven deadly sins]]," are pride, avarice (greed), envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth. ==Depictions of the Virtues== [[Image:John Hotham Tomb South Dalton.jpg|right|thumb|The Tomb of [[John Hotham|Sir John Hotham]], supported by figures of the cardinal virtues.]] The Cardinal Virtues are often depicted as female [[Allegorical sculpture|allegorical figures]] and were a popular subject for funerary sculpture. The attributes and names of these figures may vary according to local tradition. On the tomb of [[John Hotham|Sir John Hotham]], in St Mary's Church, [[South Dalton]] the four figures are: * '''Justice''' - holding a sword. * '''Temperance''' - mixing wine and water in two jugs. * '''Fortitude''' - with a broken column. * '''Truth''' - holding a mirror and being attacked by a serpent. ==References== *[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf210.iv.i.ii.xxiv.html St. Ambrose, "On the Duties of the Clergy" Book 1, chapter 24 (paragraph 115) and following] *[http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1401.htm St. Augustine, "Of the Morals of the Catholic Church"] ==See also== *[[Seven virtues]] *[[Theological Virtues]] == External links== *[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03343a.htm ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' "Cardinal Virtues"] *[http://atheism.about.com/library/glossary/western/bldef_sevenvirtues.htm Seven Virtues (atheism.com)] *[http://www.newadvent.org/summa/206100.htm Cardinal Virtues according to Aquinas (New Advent)] [[Category:Christian ethics]] [[Category:Virtue]] [[da:Kardinaldyder]] [[de:Kardinaltugend]] [[fr:vertus cardinales]] [[es:Virtudes cardinales]] [[it:Virtù cardinali]] [[nl:Kardinale deugden]] [[pl:Cnoty kardynalne]] [[pt:Virtudes cardinais]] [[sv:Kardinaldygder]] [[th:คุณธรรมพื้นฐานสี่ประการที่ควรเคารพ]]