Saints LightThe Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance
Prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance are the four hinge virtues of a good human life. We build them by practice, and God's grace heals and strengthens them.
What this lesson teaches
- The four cardinal virtues are the hinges on which all other human virtues turn.
- Prudence sees and chooses the right good; justice gives each their due.
- Fortitude keeps us firm in difficulty; temperance keeps us free from being ruled by pleasure.
- These virtues are built by repeated good choices and healed and raised by grace.
Catechism paragraphs this lesson cites
- CCC 1803-1805
- CCC 1806-1809
- CCC 1810-1811
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Scripture read in this lesson: Wisdom 8:7; Philippians 4:8.
A sample question from this lesson
Why are these four called cardinal virtues?
- Because cardinals of the Church must practice them
- Because they are named after a medieval saint
- Because the other human virtues turn on them, like a door on a hinge
- Because they are the only virtues Scripture mentions
Show the answer
Because the other human virtues turn on them, like a door on a hinge. Cardinal comes from the Latin for hinge; all other human virtues are grouped around these four (CCC 1805).
The lesson in the app has three questions, each with an explanation.
Words to know
- Cardinal virtues
- Prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance: the four principal human virtues.
- Prudence
- Practical wisdom that discerns the true good and chooses the right way to pursue it.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
Read the full lesson in the app
"The Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance" is lesson 4 of Grace, Virtue and Sin. In Saints Light you get the whole teaching, the Scripture quoted in full, all three questions and a step to live it this week.
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- Living as a Christian: Love, Commandments and Virtue (Start Here, free)