Virtue

Virtue is "a habitual and firm disposition to do good" (CCC #1833).

Buddha (~500 BC in India), Confucius (~500 BC in China), Aristotle (~350 BC in Greece), and the classic Christian tradition all hold that "Virtue is the mean between extremes."

"But not every action...admits of a mean; for some have names that already imply badness...adultery, theft, murder; for all of these are themselves bad, and not the excess or deficiencies of them. It is not possible then ever to be right with regard to them; one must always be wrong. ... However they are done they are wrong" (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics). Catholic philosophy calls such actions "intrinsically evil." The evil of the action cannot be remedied by good intentions nor justified by circumstances. The prohibition of such evildoing is absolute: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not lie, do not steal.

Cardinal Virtues

Aristotle developed the theory that there are four cardinal ("hinge") virtues (powers developed by habitual practice) necessary for the good life. The four cardinal virtues interact with each other and support each other.

Prudence

Wisdom about practical matters. The virtue of prudence enables us to apply general rules to particular situations where there is no universal negative prohibition to guide us. In such cases, "let your conscience be your guide." Do what you think is best in the circumstances, trusting in God's compassion, mercy, and providence.

Justice

Give to each what each deserves. Treat equals equally; treat unequals unequally.

Fortitude (patience, endurance)

"A few moments of patience now will spare me a hundred days of regret."

Patience is essential for all other virtues, both natural and supernatural. If we are not patient, we will not be prudent, just, temperate, faithful, hopeful, or loving for very long.

"Beware the persistent man." Without wisdom and justice, fortitude is bull-headed, bigoted, arrogant, and rude.

Moderation (temperance)

"Moderation in all things (except sin!)."

"Virtue is the mean between extremes."

Too Little	Four Cardinal Virtues	Too Much
Imprudence	Prudence practical wisdom	Over-caution
Immorality	Justice equal rights, due process	Scrupulosity
Self-indulgence	Temperance moderation	Puritanism/Jansenism
Cowardice	Fortitude courage, endurance	Presumption, arrogance, rage

Seven Deadly Sins

Flip Side	Positive Value	Seven Deadly Sins
Depression, Despair, Suicide	Self-esteem	Pride
Dissolution	Productivity	Greed
Apathy, Frigidity, Impotence	Intimacy	Lust
Victim Mentality, Passive Aggression	Self-defense, Assertiveness	Anger
Anorexia	Survival, Pleasure	Gluttony
Antipathy, Isolation	Admiration	Envy
Obsessive-compulsion	Rest	Sloth

Supernatural Virtues

Love

Love is an appetite, a hunger and a thirst. Love is an emotion that carries us away. Love is a law from the God who is Love. Love is a power acquired by practice. Love is its own reward. Love is the gateway to joy.

Unlike splitting up a pie, the more we share the fruits of the Spirit, the more we have to share. The one who gives benefits as much as the one who receives. The fruits are true soul food: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

"Love and hate are muscles. The power to love or to hate grows with use" (John Sack, RIP).

The Four Loves

C. S. Lewis

• Storge: affection.
• Philia: friendship.
• Eros: romance.
• Agape: selfless love.