Saint Thomas understood the virtues as having specific subjects and objects, locating them in specific places. We can perceive a certain progress in virtue. Justice is learned in childhood. Temperance is the virtue teenagers should acquire, and the father's role is needed here. Often fathers fail to give the pressure needed for this virtue to grow.
Prudence is the virtue of the adult life, to deal with people among complicated tasks.
Fortitude is the virtue of maturity which allows one to die in defense of true goods. Of course this progress is somewhat schematic. All of the cardinal virtues are needed in childhood and children need fortitude as well. Saint Thomas in the secunda secunda studies more than fifty virtues under a methodology which sets together all of the virtues. Saint Thomas distinguishes the integral, subjective and potential virtues.