5/31/2023 0 Comments Cardinal virtuesBelow is a short excerpt that highlights each virtue. It is impossible to create a moral culture without first encouraging the practice of these basic virtues of life.Īs a short introduction to the cardinal virtues, the Catechism of the Catholic Church provides a summary of each and explains how they affect our souls (CCC 1806-1809). If we want to achieve a true and just society, the cardinal virtues are essential building blocks. With God’s help, they forge character and give facility in the practice of the good” (CCC 1810). These human virtues can be “acquired by education, by deliberate acts and by a perseverance ever-renewed in repeated efforts.” However, to grow in perfection they must be “purified and elevated by divine grace. The cardinal virtues are habits that, when practiced and cultivated, allow us the ability to make right choices. We know them as the cardinal virtues - the word cardinal meaning “hinge” - because on these qualities hinges the whole moral life. The Church, then, describes these four classical virtues as “human” (in contrast to the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love, which are of divine origin). The Catholic Church adopted what was true, good and beautiful in ancient Greek philosophy. It has four parts: wisdom, justice, courage, temperance. Later, the Roman philosopher Cicero echoed Plato’s words by writing: Virtue may be defined as a habit of mind in harmony with reason and the order of nature. Other philosophers of the time similarly highlighted them. These four attributes of a “good city” became identified as virtues (from the Latin word for merit). Clearly, then, it will be wise, brave, sober, and just. Plato described these virtues in his Republic when discussing what constitutes a good city, putting his thoughts in the mouth of Socrates: I think our city, if it has been rightly founded, is completely good. The classical world identified four virtues to be emulated in society. Would you consider donating just $10, so we can continue creating free, uplifting content? Make a Lenten donation here
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