A virtue is a moral excellence, representing a positive trait or quality deemed good within a person’s character. These dispositions allow an individual to perform good acts consistently and with relative ease. Christian virtues are distinct because they are rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and are ultimately directed toward a relationship with God. They represent a moral framework that requires human effort alongside divine assistance, often referred to as grace, for their full expression.
The Theological Virtues
The three Theological Virtues—Faith, Hope, and Love—are considered the foundation of the Christian moral life because they relate directly to God and are given as gifts. Unlike moral qualities developed through human action, these are infused into the soul by God alone. They dispose the believer to live in relationship with the divine, providing the spiritual energy for moral growth.
Faith is the virtue by which a person believes in God and accepts as true all that God has revealed, not based on empirical evidence but on the authority of the revealer. This belief involves an assent of the intellect and a movement of the will, trusting in the truth of scripture and the teachings of the church. It is the necessary starting point, enabling the mind to grasp truths that lie beyond the scope of natural human reason.
Hope is the confident expectation of divine blessing and eternal life, which is attained through the grace of Christ. This virtue acts as an anchor, preventing the believer from falling into despair over personal failings or becoming complacent through presumption of salvation. It involves trusting in God’s promises and relying on the Holy Spirit to provide the strength necessary to reach the ultimate goal of union with God.
Love, often called charity, is considered the greatest of the three, serving as the form that gives life to all other virtues. It is the disposition to love God above all things for His own sake and to love one’s neighbor as oneself for the love of God. This love is not merely an emotion but a constant and firm determination of the will to seek the true good of others. The Apostle Paul emphasized its supremacy, noting that without love, even the exercise of faith and hope holds little value.
The Cardinal Virtues
The four Cardinal Virtues—Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance—govern human conduct and are accessible to human reason, forming the basis of natural morality. The term “cardinal” signifies that all other moral virtues hinge upon these four. While they can be acquired through education and practice, Christian theology holds that divine grace purifies and strengthens them, directing them toward a supernatural end.
Prudence is the ability to discern the proper course of action in any given situation and to choose the right means of achieving it. It is often described as “right reason in action,” guiding the intellect to make sound moral judgments rather than acting impulsively or carelessly. This virtue requires careful deliberation and the seeking of wise counsel to avoid mistaking evil for good.
Justice is the constant and firm will to give God and neighbor what is rightfully due to them. This involves rendering to God the worship and obedience He deserves and ensuring fairness and equity in all human relationships. It extends beyond legal obligations to encompass a commitment to the common good and the rights of every individual.
Fortitude, sometimes called courage, is the strength to resist temptation and to maintain moral integrity in the face of difficulty, fear, or persecution. It allows a person to overcome obstacles and endure trials without abandoning the pursuit of the good. Fortitude is not recklessness but a reasoned firmness that supports the will when facing significant challenges.
Temperance is the virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will maintains control over instincts and desires. Temperance promotes self-control, helping the individual avoid excess and maintain a healthy, ordered life focused on higher purposes.
Cultivating Christian Virtues
The development of Christian virtues is a lifelong process that involves both divine action and human cooperation. The Holy Spirit infuses the theological virtues and provides the grace necessary to perfect the cardinal virtues. This divine assistance transforms the believer’s natural capacities, enabling them to act in ways that reflect the character of Christ.
Virtues are strengthened through the consistent repetition of good acts, which gradually forms a stable habit or disposition. Just as a vice is a habit of sin, a virtue is a habit of goodness, and moral effort is required to choose the good repeatedly, even when it is difficult. This practice helps to align the will and the emotions with the dictates of reason and faith.
Prayer and the study of scripture are recognized as primary means of cultivating these qualities, serving as sources of guidance and spiritual strength. Prayer opens the soul to receive the necessary grace, while scripture provides the moral instruction and example of Christ’s life to imitate. These disciplines help the believer to identify the specific vices—such as pride, greed, or sloth—that oppose virtuous growth.
The struggle for moral growth involves actively resisting the temptation toward vice and intentionally practicing the corresponding virtue. For instance, gluttony is countered by temperance, and cowardice is overcome by acts of fortitude. This intentional effort, supported by grace, leads to a deeper maturity and a more consistent expression of Christian character in daily life.