The Seven Virtues were derived from the Psychomachia ('Contest of the Soul'), an epic poem written by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (c. 410 CE) entailing the battle of good virtues and evil vices. The intense popularity of this work in the Middle Ages helped to spread the concept of Holy Virtue throughout Europe. Practicing these virtues is alleged to protect one against temptation from the Seven Deadly Sins, with each one having its counterpart. Due to this they are sometimes referred to as the contrary virtues. There are two distinct variations of the virtues, recognized by different groups.

The Virtues

Ranked in ascending order of sanctity, the seven holy virtues are:

• Chastity (Latin, castitas) (purity, opposes lust, Latin luxuria) —
  Courage and boldness. Embracing of moral wholesomeness and achieving purity of thought through education and betterment.

• Abstinence (Latin, frenum) (self-control, opposes gluttony, Latin gula) —
  Constant mindfulness of others and one's surroundings; practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation.

• Liberality (Latin, liberalitas) (will, generosity, opposes greed, Latin avaritia) —
  Generosity. Willingness to give. A nobility of thought or actions.

• Diligence (Latin, industria) (ethics, opposes sloth, Latin acedia) —
  A zealous and careful nature in one's actions and work. Decisive work ethic. Budgeting one's time; monitoring one's own activities to guard against laziness.

• Patience (Latin, patientia) (peace, opposes wrath, Latin ira) —
  Forbearance and endurance through moderation. Resolving conflicts peacefully, as opposed to resorting to violence. The ability to forgive; to show mercy to sinners.

• Kindness (Latin, humanitas) (satisfaction, opposes envy, Latin invidia) —
  Charity, compassion, friendship, and sympathy without prejudice and for its own sake.

• Humility (Latin, humilitas) (modesty, opposes pride, Latin superbia) —
  Modest behavior, selflessness, and the giving of respect. Giving credit where credit is due; not unfairly glorifying one's own self.

Theology

Restraint is the keystone of the seven holy virtues. The other holy virtues are created through selfless pursuits:

• Valour — Pursuit of Courage and Knowledge
• Generosity — Pursuit of Giving
• Liberality — Pursuit of Will
• Diligence — Pursuit of Ethics
• Patience — Pursuit of Peace
• Kindness — Pursuit of Charity
• Humility — Pursuit of Modesty

Roman Catholic Virtues

The Roman Catholic church recognized the seven capital virtues as opposites to the Seven Capital Sins or the Seven Deadly Sins. According to Dante's The Divine Comedy the sins and their respective virtues have an ordering based upon their importance.

Cardinal and Theological Virtues

Another list of the Seven Virtues consists of a combination of the four Cardinal Virtues and the three Theological Virtues:

• Prudence, Justice (this is an eighth virtue), Temperance, and Fortitude
• Faith, Hope, and Love (charity)

This formulation shows clearly the combination of Greek virtues (the Cardinal Virtues, found in Plato, for example) with Christian virtues (found in 1 Corinthians 13). These virtues do not line up so nicely as opposites to the Seven Deadly Sins, but are commonly referenced as the Seven Virtues.

This allowed non-Christians to base their behaviour on moral tenets other than those prescribed by Christians. In medieval ideology, only a Christian would have faith in God, look forward to a life after death and caritas, be able to carry out acts of charity towards fellow men based solely on love of God.

References

• Contrary, Heavenly, and Cardinal Virtues. 7 Deadly Sins. Retrieved on 2005-11-22.

See also

• Eight Virtues

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

The Seven Virtues

• The Seven Deadly Sins - White Stone Journal
• Cube of Space: Seven Doubles: Planetary Contrary Qualities as Virtures and Vices

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