The cardinal virtues are the four principal moral virtues. The English word cardinalcomes from the Latin word cardo, which means "hinge." All other virtues hinge on these four: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
πPrudence :
Prudence is the cardinal virtue that disposes us in all circumstances to form right judgements about what we must or must not do. It teaches us when and how to act in matters relating to our eternal salvation.
Prudence perfects or illuminates the intelligence, which is the power of forming judgments; for this virtue, knowledge and experience are important.
Prudence shows us how to set aside earthly things in order to earn riches for eternity. It is the eye of the soul, for it tells us what is good and what is evil. It is like a compass that directs our course in life. It is opposed to worldly wisdom. It is a virtue of understanding. “Be prudent, therefore, and watchful in prayers” (1 Peter 4:7).
Justice is the cardinal virtue that disposes us to give to everyone what belongs to them. It teaches us to give what is due to God and what is due to our neighbor.
Justice makes us willing to live according to the Commandments. Living the Commandments is thinking and acting as God Himself does – therefore, we share His life and show forth His power.
Justice shows up in one’s experience as a power that motivates us to safeguard and grant the rights of all: the right to life, freedom, honor, good name, sanctity of the home, and external possessions. When you actively and deliberately do these things, you are acting in justice!
The just man or woman is an upright person. He or she gives to everyone what is due to them or what is theirs by right. The just person gives God the worship due to Him; they give obedience to authorities; they respect their subordinates, and all under their care and responsibility.
Fortitude is the cardinal virtue that disposes us to do what is good in spite of any difficulty. It gives us the strength to do good and avoid evil in spite of all obstacles and afflictions.
Justice is the cardinal virtue that disposes us to give to everyone what belongs to them. It teaches us to give what is due to God and what is due to our neighbor.
Justice makes us willing to live according to the Commandments. Living the Commandments is thinking and acting as God Himself does – therefore, we share His life and show forth His power.
Justice shows up in one’s experience as a power that motivates us to safeguard and grant the rights of all: the right to life, freedom, honor, good name, sanctity of the home, and external possessions. When you actively and deliberately do these things, you are acting in justice!
The just man or woman is an upright person. He or she gives to everyone what is due to them or what is theirs by right. The just person gives God the worship due to Him; they give obedience to authorities; they respect their subordinates, and all under their care and responsibility.
We possess fortitude when ridicule, threats, or persecution do not prevent us from doing what is right; it is a refusal to give in to discouragement and the ability to continue in perseverance.
Here are a few examples:
Couples who are open to life and have large families are often asked by tactless individuals, who have been brainwashed into the “birth control mentality” of the world: “Isn’t it time to stop?” Couples open to life practice fortitude when they either ignore these poor misguided souls, or when they set people straight. Young couples who carefully practice chastity before marriage (even if they experience a strong physical attraction to each other) are practicing fortitude; those who stay faithful to the teachings of the Church even if it seems “nobody else is doing it” are practicing fortitude.
The greatest fortitude is shown by bearing great sufferings rather than undertaking great works. No Saint was ever a coward. Martyrs had fortitude.
Temperance is the cardinal virtue that disposes us to control our desires and to use rightly the things which please our senses. It regulates our judgment and passions (i.e. our bodily drives and urges made unruly by Original Sin) so that we may make use of temporal or material things only in so far as they are necessary for our eternal salvation.
It’s done by deliberately avoiding “overindulgence.” We practice temperance and possess it as a virtue when we eat and drink or use what is necessary to healthily sustain life and preserve our health in order to fulfill our duties toward God and neighbor.
Note : Reference Wisdom 8:7. The Cardinal Virtues, unlike the Theological Virtues, can be achieved by human effort.
