Concept Detail

Cardinal Virtues

glossary_term

Four pivotal human virtues (from the Latin carbo , "pivot"): prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. The human virtues are stable dispositions of the intellect and will that govern our acts, order our passions, and guide our conduct in accordance with reason and faith

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Catechism Passages

Passages ranked by relevance to Cardinal Virtues, from most closely related outward.

§1805 CHAPTER ONE THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

Four virtues play a pivotal role and accordingly are called "cardinal"; all the others are grouped around them. They are: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. "If anyone loves righteousness, [Wisdom's] labors are virtues; for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice, and courage." 64 These virtues are praised under other names in many passages of Scripture.

§1834 CHAPTER ONE THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON In Brief

The Human Virtues are stable dispositions of the intellect and the will that govern our acts, order our passions, and guide our conduct in accordance with reason and faith. They can be grouped around the four Cardinal Virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.

Catechism of the Catholic Church © Libreria Editrice Vaticana