The cardinal virtues are four virtues of mind and character in both classical philosophy and Christian theology. They are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. They form a virtue theory of ethics. The term cardinal comes from the Latin  (hinge); these four virtues are called “cardinal” because all other virtues fall under them and hinge upon them.

These virtues derive initially from Plato in Republic Book IV, 426-435.  Aristotle expounded them systematically in the Nicomachean Ethics. They were also recognized by the Stoics and Cicero expanded on them. In the Christian tradition, they are also listed in the Apocrypha in  and , and Ambrose, Augustine of Hippo, and Thomas Aquinas adapted them while expanding on the theological virtues.

Four cardinal virtues 
 Prudence (, ; ; also Wisdom, , ), the ability to discern the appropriate course of action to be taken in a given situation at the appropriate time, with consideration of potential consequences.
 Justice (, ; ): also considered as fairness; the Greek word also having the meaning righteousness
 Fortitude (, ; ): also termed courage: forbearance, strength, endurance, and the ability to confront fear, uncertainty, and intimidation. Notably, ἀνδρεία, being closely related to ἀνήρ, ἀνδρός, could also be translated "manliness". 
 Temperance (, ; ): also known as restraint, the practice of self-control, abstention, discretion, and moderation tempering the appetition. Plato considered , which may also be translated as sound-mindedness, to be the most important virtue. σωφροσύνη was often used in reference to drinking and "knowing the right amount" to avoid belligerence.

Antiquity 
The four cardinal virtues appeared as a group (sometimes included in larger lists) long before they were later given this title.

Hellenistic philosophy 
Plato identified the four cardinal virtues with the classes of the city described in The Republic, and with the faculties of humanity. Plato narrates a discussion of the character of a good city where the following is agreed upon:

Temperance was common to all classes, but primarily associated with the producing classes, the farmers and craftsmen, and with the animal appetites, to whom no special virtue was assigned. Fortitude was assigned to the warrior class and to the spirited element in man. Prudence was assigned to the rulers and to reason. Justice stands outside the class system and divisions of man, and rules the proper relationship among the three of them.

Plato sometimes lists holiness (, , ) amongst the cardinal virtues. He especially associates holiness with justice, but leaves their precise relationship unexplained.

In Aristotle's Rhetoric, we read:

These are expounded fully in the Nicomachean Ethics III.6-V.2 

Philo of Alexandria, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, also recognized the four cardinal virtues as prudence, temperance, courage, and justice. In his writings, he states:  

These virtues, according to Philo, serve as guiding principles for a virtuous and fulfilling life.

Roman philosophy 
The Roman philosopher and statesman Cicero (), like Plato, limits the list to four virtues:

Cicero discusses these further in De Officiis (I, V, and following).

The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius discusses these in Book V:12 of Meditations and views them as the "goods" that a person should identify in one's own mind, as opposed to "wealth or things which conduce to luxury or prestige".

Suggestions of the Stoic virtues can be found in fragments in the Diogenes Laertius and Stobaeus.

The Platonist view of the four cardinal virtues is described in "Definitions". 

Practical wisdom () can be translated as the capacity to elevate both personal well-being and the overall welfare of society. This encompasses the skill to distinguish between what is beneficial and detrimental, the understanding of how to attain happiness, and the inclination to assess and comprehend what constitutes the right course of action across varying situations. Such discernment demands a comprehension of favorable, unfavorable, and neutral aspects of life. Its antithesis is folly, a vice diametrically opposed to practical wisdom.

Justice () can be conceptualized as the harmonious alignment of one's inner self and the comprehensive integrity of the soul. It involves fostering sound discipline within each facet of our being, enabling us to coexist in this manner with others and extend the same regard to every individual. Additionally, justice pertains to a state's aptitude to equitably allocate resources based on individuals' deservingness, as determined by their merits. It entails refraining from undue harshness towards others, fostering a universal perception of fairness. Furthermore, it entails embodying the qualities of a law-abiding citizen or member of society, upholding principles of social equality. Justice encompasses the formulation of laws that can be substantiated by valid justifications, leading to a society where actions align with these laws.

Moderation or temperance () is the capacity to temper the indulgence of desires and sensory pleasures within the bounds of what is customary for the individual, aligning only with experiences already familiar to the soul. It encompasses achieving a harmonious equilibrium and exercising disciplined control when it comes to overall pleasure and pain, ensuring that they remain within normal ranges. Moreover, moderation involves cultivating a harmonious relationship and a balanced rule between the soul's governing and being governed aspects. It signifies maintaining a state of natural self-reliance and exercising proper discipline as and when required by the soul. Rational consensus within the soul is essential concerning what merits admiration and what warrants disdain. This approach entails deliberate caution in one's choices, as one's selection navigates between the extremes.

Courage () can be defined as the ability to conquer fear within oneself when action is necessary. It encompasses military confidence, a deep understanding of warfare, and maintaining unwavering beliefs in the face of challenges. It involves self-discipline to overcome fear, obeying wisdom, and facing death boldly. Courage also entails maintaining sound judgment in tough situations, countering hostility, upholding virtues, remaining composed when faced with frightening (or encouraging) discussions and events, and not becoming discouraged. It reflects valuing the rule of law in our daily lives rather than diminishing its importance.

In the Bible

In the Old Testament Apocrypha 
The cardinal virtues are listed in the deuterocanonical book , which reads:

They are also found in other non-canonical scriptures like , which relates:

In the New Testament 

Wisdom, usually , rather than Prudence (), is discussed extensively in all parts of the New Testament. It is a major topic of 1 Corinthians 2, where the author discusses how divine teaching and power are greater than worldly wisdom.

Justice (, ) is taught in the gospels, where most translators give it as "righteousness".

Plato's word for Fortitude () is not present in the New Testament, but the virtues of steadfastness (, ) and patient endurance (, ) are praised. Paul exhorts believers to "act like men" (, , ).

Temperance (, ), usually translated "sobriety," is present in the New Testament, along with self-control (, ).

In Christian tradition 

Catholic moral theology drew from both the Wisdom of Solomon and the Fourth Book of Maccabees in developing its thought on the virtues. Ambrose () used the expression "cardinal virtues":

Augustine of Hippo, discussing the morals of the church, described them:

In relation to the theological virtues 
The "cardinal" virtues are not the same as the three theological virtues: Faith, Hope, and Charity (Love), named in 1 Corinthians 13.

Because of this reference, a group of seven virtues is sometimes listed by adding the four cardinal virtues (prudence, temperance, fortitude, justice) and three theological virtues (faith, hope, charity).
While the first four date back to Greek philosophers and were applicable to all people seeking to live moral lives, the theological virtues appear to be specific to Christians as written by Paul in the New Testament.

Efforts to relate the cardinal and theological virtues differ. Augustine sees faith as coming under justice. Beginning with a wry comment about the moral mischief of pagan deities, he writes:

Dante Alighieri also attempts to relate the cardinal and theological virtues in his Divine Comedy, most notably in the complex allegorical scheme drawn in Purgatorio XXIX to XXXI. Depicting a procession in the Garden of Eden (which the author situates at the top of the mountain of purgatory), Dante describes a chariot drawn by a gryphon and accompanied by a vast number of figures, among which stand three women on the right side dressed in red, green, and white, and four women on the left, all dressed in purple. The chariot is generally understood to represent the holy church, with the women on right and left representing the theological and cardinal virtues respectively. The exact meaning of the allegorical women's role, behaviour, interrelation, and color-coding remains a matter of literary interpretation.

In relation to the seven deadly sins 
In the High Middle Ages, some authors opposed the seven virtues (cardinal plus theological) to the seven deadly sins. However, “treatises exclusively concentrating on both septenaries are actually quite rare.” and “examples of late medieval catalogues of virtues and vices which extend or upset the double heptad can be easily multiplied.” And there are problems with this parallelism:

Contemporary thought 
Jesuit scholars Daniel J. Harrington and James F. Keenan, in their Paul and Virtue Ethics (2010), argue for seven "new virtues" to replace the classical cardinal virtues in complementing the three theological virtues, mirroring the seven earlier proposed in Bernard Lonergan's Method in Theology (1972): "be humble, be hospitable, be merciful, be faithful, reconcile, be vigilant, and be reliable".

Allegory 

The Cardinal Virtues are often depicted as female allegorical figures. These were a popular subject for funerary sculpture. The attributes and names of these figures may vary according to local tradition.

The virtues in art

In many churches and artwork the Cardinal Virtues are depicted with symbolic items: 
 Justice
 sword, balance and scales, a crown

 Temperance
 wheel, bridle and reins, vegetables and fish, cup, water and wine in two jugs

 Fortitude
 armor, club, with a lion, palm, tower, a yoke, a broken column

 Prudence
 book, scroll, mirror, an attacking serpent

Notable depictions include sculptures on the tomb of Francis II, Duke of Brittany and the tomb of John Hotham. They were also depicted in the garden at Edzell Castle.

See also
 Cardinal and Theological Virtues (Raphael)
 Civic virtue
 Seven deadly sins
 Seven virtues
 Theological virtues

Notes

References

Sources

External links 

 
 
 

Christian ethics
Virtue
Platonism
Christian terminology