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The Four Hinges of the Moral Life
“The cardinal virtues are the four principal moral virtues. The English word cardinal comes from the Latin word cardo, which means “hinge.” All other virtues hinge on these four: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
“Plato first discussed the cardinal virtues in the Republic, and they entered into Christian teaching by way of Plato’s disciple Aristotle. Unlike the theological virtues, which are the gifts of God through grace, the four cardinal virtues can be practiced by anyone; thus, they represent the foundation of natural morality.”
Read more on the OC 088 Four Cardinal Virtues, at www.ourcatechism.com
“The supernatural virtues are those which unite us with God. The effect of these graces is to raise us to a supernatural mode of being through which we can become children of God. The key for us is understanding what these virtues are and how we gain their benefit. Remember, these virtues come to us from God; last week we learned that the cardinal virtues are of natural origin.”
Read more on the OC 089 Three Theological Virtues at www.ourcatechism.com
The Virtues are:
- Charity
- Chastity
- Faith
- Fortitude
- Goods
- Hope
- Humility
- Justice
- Obedience
- Patience
- Prudence
- Temperance
- Truth
