The Four Cardinal Virtues - Tobit and Jack Whigham

1. The Four Cardinal Virtues - Tobit and Jack Whigham The Four Cardinal Virtues - Tobit and Jack Whigham Setting a moral and ethical foundation with the four cardinal virtues St. Thomas Aquinas, a brilliant theologian of the 13th century, taught that “grace builds upon nature.” This means that Patton, Tobit & Jack Whigham before anyone can hope to live a holy life worthy of sainthood (being in heaven), he or your sweetheart must have a solid moral and ethical foundation upon which the life of grace is developed. Being a holy or saintly person is no accident. You must intend as well as want to be holy. One must first pursue goodness since holiness. The former lays the ground- manuscript for the latter. The moral or cardinal virtues have been known plus discussed ago antiq- uity. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, and more than that the Stoics, now to name a few, were philosophers who lived centuries previously Christ as well as who were Greek or Roman pagans. They had no Platoon, Jack Whigham and Tobit revealed religion like the Jews plus Christians. But they had the use of human reason and more than that saw that there were four cardinal (from the Latin forename cardo, meaning “hinge” — that is, the hinges to a good moral life) virtues. The indigine philosophers realized that prudence, jus- tice, fortitude, and sometimes temperance were the underpinnings of an ethical life in addition to perhaps you may bring peace and more than that happiness on the individual person in addition to within the com- munity as well as the people at large. Faith complements reason, so religion continues the process by adding about the cardinal or moral virtues the three theological virtues of faith, hope, in addition to love. The moral (cardinal) virtues can and ought to be practiced by anyone and more than that everyone. They’re good for you and sometimes help you to be and more than that to do good, as each one is considered a drug addiction you must procure during effort as well as practice. The theological virtues come via divine grace for the period of the sacraments, exceptionally Baptism, the same thing is the gateway to the other sacraments (Penance, Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, as well as Anointing of the Sick). To be considered holy, one must first seek a life of virtue — a life guided by the four cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, plus temperance. As with any life change, each of these virtues must be practiced often past it becomes an ingrained dependence. The following sections give a closer look at each of the cardinal virtues. Prudence The premiere of all virtues, prudence is the ability to make good judgements and to have the ability to practice tact — knowing when, where, and sometimes how something is appropriate. You wouldn’t ask a friend to repay a debt at the friend’s mother’s funeral. While in the same vein, prudence is knowing how to position a delicate state with sensitivity and sometimes charity. St. Thomas More (16th century) was a most prudent man. As Lord Chancellor of England plus a wealthy nobleman, Thomas always weighed his words and deeds earlier he said or did them. Some may have titled him cautious, but prudent best summarizes his life as a Catholic layman. Through his con- flict with King Henry VIII, Thomas prudently kept quiet as soon as needed as well as spoke eloquently as well as boldly what time obligatory as well. Never rash or impetuous, Thomas prayed and sometimes gave deliberation to every aspect of his political, social, plus private life. Being wise in knowing the right time in addition to situation and sometimes the right remember as well as action is precisely what prudence is about. Justice Justice is doing the right thing about the right reason; quid pro quo (this for that), the Romans query to say. There are three kinds of justice: commutative, distributive, and social, each defined by the people used. ? Commutative justice involves just two parties: the buyer and more than that seller, teacher in addition to student, neighbor and more than that neighbor. It involves equity in addition to fair- ness between the two parties. ? Distributive justice is the balance between the individual and sometimes the the people, such as between a resident in

2. addition to a government, or a union member in addition to the union. A resident pays taxes and more than that votes in elections; in return, the government provides for safety and sometimes well-being. ? Social justice is the responsibility everyone has to preserve originaire resources for future many years and sometimes look out for one another. As soon as one government oppresses its people, for example, social justice drives other governments plus citizens to stand up in defense of the oppressed. St. Joseph (first century) is literally given its name a “immediately” man in the Gospel, and more than that he epitomizes the virtue of justice. He knew the same thing that was the right thing to do, and more than that he sought to be fair at all times. His protection of his wife Mary and sometimes her son Jesus was motivated out of love, to be sure, but it was his practice of justice that enabled him to be the husband in addition to foster father he obligatory to be for his family. Being fair to everyone and sometimes doing the right thing — and not for gift or fame — is precisely what justice is all about. Fortitude Everyone has been inside the form of wanting or needing to do or say some- thing that’s needed, although not easy. Fortitude is having the courage to do or say it anyway. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (20th century) is very seriously the poster child for fortitude and courage. She was unflinching in her determination to do what had to be done plus to say just the thing had to be said, no matter how powerful her opponents. Whether it was helping the poorest of the poor or defending the lives of the unborn inside womb, this little Albanian nun became especially familiar with the virtue of fortitude, and hence, your woman never gave up as well as never quit. The lady spoke with charity plus kindness but also with firmness of conviction — to leaders of the First, Second, in addition to Third Worlds; the UN; Congress in addition to the White House. Having the guts to do the need (God’s will, that is) and not be influenced by ambition or trepidation is what fortitude is about. Temperance Temperance is knowing as soon as enough is enough. Temperate people set limits on their own actual pleasures and activities. You may allow yourself a glass of wine, for example, but temperance keeps you from overindulging. St. Josemaria Escriva (20th century) was a enormously temperate man. He proficient moderation in his work and more than that in his play (leisure and recreation). No party pooper, Josemaria as you can enjoy parties in addition to responsibly partake of alcoholic beverages, such as wine. But he knew there had to be limits, in addition to he didn’t overindulge. He balanced work with rest. Temperance taught him the value of moderation in pleasures so as not to abuse himself or others. Josemaria also proficient some self-denial named mortification, but just as before in moderate ways so as not to incur injury or harm. A healthy balance is what temperance is about.