Virtues, Cardinal

Definition: Placeholder

As used herein, Cardinal Virtues refers to Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Courage.  Here is a quote from the Wikipedia article on Cardinal Virtues -

Four cardinal virtues were recognized in the Bible, Old Testament, classical antiquity and in traditional Christian theology:

• Prudence (φρόνησις, phronēsis; Latin: prudentia; also Wisdom, Sophia, sapientia), the ability to discern the appropriate course of action to be taken in a given situation at the appropriate time.
• Courage (ἀνδρεία, andreia; Latin: fortitudo): also termed fortitude, forbearance, strength, endurance, and the ability to confront fear, uncertainty, and intimidation
• Temperance (σωφροσύνη, sōphrosynē; Latin: temperantia): also known as restraint, the practice of self-control, abstention, discretion, and moderation tempering the appetition. Sōphrosynē can also be translated as sound-mindedness.
• Justice (δικαιοσύνη, dikaiosynē; Latin: iustitia): also considered as fairness, the most extensive and most important virtue;^[1] the Greek word also having the meaning righteousness

These principles derive initially from Plato in Republic Book IV, 426–435 (and see Protagoras 330b, which also includes piety (hosiotes)). Cicero expanded on them, and Ambrose, Augustine of Hippo, and Thomas Aquinas^[2] adapted them while expanding on the theological virtues.

The term cardinal comes from the Latin cardo (hinge);^[3] virtues are so called because they are regarded as the basic virtues required for a virtuous life. They also relate to the Quadrivium.