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InChristian history, theseven heavenly virtues combine the fourcardinal virtues ofprudence,justice,temperance, andfortitude with the threetheological virtues offaith,hope, andcharity.
Theseven capital virtues, also known asseven lively virtues, contrary or remedial virtues, are those opposite to theseven deadly sins. They are often enumerated aschastity,temperance,charity,diligence,kindness,patience, andhumility.
The term "cardinal virtues" (virtutes cardinales) was first used by the 4th-century theologianAmbrose,[1] who defined the four virtues as "temperance, justice, prudence, and fortitude".[2] These were also named as cardinal virtues byAugustine of Hippo, and were subsequently adopted by theCatholic Church. They are described as "human virtues" in the CatholicCatechism.[3]
Prior to Ambrose, these four qualities were identified by the Greek philosopherPlato as the necessary character traits of a good man, and were discussed by other ancient authors such asCicero. They can also be found in the Old TestamentBook of Wisdom, which states that wisdom "teaches moderation and prudence, righteousness and fortitude, and nothing in life is more useful than these."[4]
The theological virtues are those named bySt. Paul in1 Corinthians 13: "And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love."[5] The third virtue is also commonly referred to as "charity", as this is how the influentialKing James Bible translated the Greek wordagape.
The traditional understanding of the difference between cardinal and theological virtues is that the latter are not fully accessible to humans in their natural state without assistance from God.[6]Thomas Aquinas believed that while the cardinal virtues could be formed through habitual practice, the theological virtues could only be practised by divine grace.[7]
The seven capital virtues or seven lively virtues (also known as the contrary or remedial virtues)[8] are those thought to stand in opposition to theseven capital vices (or deadly sins).
Prudentius, writing in the 5th century, was the first author to allegorically represent Christian morality as a struggle between seven sins and seven virtues. His poemPsychomachia depicts a battle between female personifications of virtues and vices, with each virtue confronting and defeating a particular vice.[9] However, Prudentius did not base his allegory on the cardinal and theological virtues, nor did he use the traditional list of capital vices. The combatants in thePsychomachia are as follows:
| Virtue | Latin | Sin | Latin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chastity | Pudicitia | Lust | Sodomita Libido |
| Faith | Fides | Idolatry[10] | Veterum Cultura Deorum |
| Good Works | Operatio | Avarice | Avaritia |
| Concord | Concordia | Discord | Discordia |
| Sobriety | Sobrietas | Indulgence | Luxuria |
| Patience | Patientia | Wrath | Ira |
| Humility | Mens Humilis | Pride | Superbia |
The success of this work popularised the concept of capital virtues among medieval authors. In AD 590, the seven capital vices were revised byPope Gregory I, which led to the creation of new lists of corresponding capital virtues. In modern times, the capital virtues are commonly identified as the following:[11]
| Virtue | Latin | Sin | Latin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chastity | Castitas | Lust | Luxuria |
| Temperance | Temperantia | Gluttony | Gula |
| Charity | Caritas | Greed | Avaritia |
| Diligence | Diligentia | Sloth | Acedia |
| Kindness | Humanitas | Envy | Invidia |
| Patience | Patientia | Wrath | Ira |
| Humility | Humilitas | Pride | Superbia |
Although some medieval authors attempted to contrast the capital vices with the heavenly virtues, such efforts were rare.[12] According to historian István P. Bejczy, "the capital vices are more often contrasted with the remedial or contrary virtues in medieval moral literature than with the principal virtues, while the principal virtues are frequently accompanied by a set of mirroring vices rather than by the seven deadly sins".[13]
| Four cardinal virtues |
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| Three theological virtues |
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| Seven lively virtues versus Seven deadly sins | ||
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| The sins | |
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| Describing the sins | |
| In art and culture |
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| Related | |
