Cardinal Virtues
Four hinges on which the moral life turns
The cardinal virtues are the four foundational moral virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. Christian writers such as Ambrose and Augustine adopted them from Greek philosophy and set them within a Christian vision of the moral life. As 'hinges' on which good character turns, they came to anchor much of the Church's ethical teaching, later joined to the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love.
How it traveled
- TitusEphesus · 67applies
- The Resurrection of the DeadAlexandria · 190explains
- On Patience.— · 220explains
- The Life of Constantine with Orations of Constantine and EusebiusCaesarea · 339explains
- Defence of His Flight. (Apologia de Fuga.)Alexandria · 373explains
- The LettersCaesarea (Cappadocia) · 379explains
- Select Orations of Saint Gregory NazianzenNazianzus · 390explains
- On the Duties of the ClergyMilan · 397explains
- On the Decease of His Brother SatyrusMilan · 397explains
- Selections from the Letters of St. AmbroseMilan · 397explains
- Concerning WidowsMilan · 397explains
- The Homilies of St. John ChrysostomConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- Homilies on First CorinthiansConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Philippians, Colossians, and ThessaloniansConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Timothy, Titus, and PhilemonConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- A Commentary on the Acts of the ApostlesConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Commentary and Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Galatians and EphesiansConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Epistle to the HebrewsConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Paul's Epistle to the RomansConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- Homilies on Second CorinthiansConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies on the Statues to the People of AntiochConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Gospel of St. JohnConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- Treatise Concerning the Christian PriesthoodConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- A Treatise to Prove that No One Can Harm the Man Who Does Not Injure HimselfConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Letters of St. JeromeBethlehem · 420explains
- City of GodHippo Regius · 430explains
- On the Morals of the Catholic ChurchHippo Regius · 430explains
- Letters of St. AugustinHippo Regius · 430explains
- On the Good of MarriageHippo Regius · 430explains
- On Christian DoctrineHippo Regius · 430explains
Key passages(20)
City of God · Augustine of Hippo
Letters of St. Augustin · Augustine of Hippo
On the Decease of His Brother Satyrus · Ambrose of Milan
On the Duties of the Clergy · Ambrose of Milan
On the Duties of the Clergy · Ambrose of Milan
On the Duties of the Clergy · Ambrose of Milan
On the Duties of the Clergy · Ambrose of Milan
On the Duties of the Clergy · Ambrose of Milan
On the Morals of the Catholic Church · Augustine of Hippo
On the Morals of the Catholic Church · Augustine of Hippo
On the Morals of the Catholic Church · Augustine of Hippo
Treatise on the Incarnation (qq[1]-59) · Thomas Aquinas
A Treatise on the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the Baptism of Infants · Augustine of Hippo
A Treatise to Prove that No One Can Harm the Man Who Does Not Injure Himself · John Chrysostom
City of God · Augustine of Hippo
Concerning Widows · Ambrose of Milan
Defence of His Flight. (Apologia de Fuga.) · Athanasius of Alexandria
Discussion: Second Part · Martin Luther