ALIM, FABRICANTE, FINEZA & MARIBAO Group 10

Basic Christian Values and Virtues

Virtues and values are commonly treated as synonyms, but there is a distinction —
virtues are lived values, values in action, values which are achieved on a dependably
regular basis, while values by themselves are ideals or goals which tend to be
more aspirational and not uncommonly fail to be achieved on as regular a basis as
desired.

The seven capital virtues are: faith, hope, love (sometimes called the theological
virtues) and prudence, fortitude, justice, temperance (sometimes called the four cardinal
or natural virtues). They summarize a life of blessedness or happiness.

Faith is the character trait of relating to God rightly, with confident trust and reliance on
God, because God is trustworthy, by believing and adhering to his word.

Hope is the trait of relying on God's help for those things which he has promised and so
confidently expecting to obtain them, even in the face of difficulty or in the face of their
being beyond our power.

Love is the character trait of seeking, choosing, and willing to do good to others in a
way appropriate to the relationship we have with them.

The cardinal virtues (prudence, fortitude, justice, and temperance) are the
foundation of morality as a whole. The word "cardinal" comes from the Latin
word "cardo" which means "hinge". These are foundational virtues since
morality hinges on them.

Prudence is the trait of understanding what is morally good to do in a particular

situation and how to do it (understanding how to act based on moral truth), the
application of moral truth to directing action. Prudence is moral wisdom: the ability to
handle the situations of life well and living a morally good way.

Justice is the character trait by which we treat others rightly, that is, we give others their
due or do not harm them or deprive them of anything they have a right to.
Temperance is the trait of being in control of one's one's approach to external goods
and pleasures. Its emphasis is on moderation and a balanced approach to life.

Temperance is a synonym for self-control, the trait of being in control of one's inner
movements (desire, emotion, passions) so that they do not keep us from living well (in
righteousness and love). It involves inner control: how you deal with things inside of
you. The New Testament uses the word "restraint" in describing temperance; it
focuses on objective behavior and the importance of behaving rightly. The Old
Testament describes lack of self-control as "folly". This sin is lack of wisdom or
prudence.
ALIM, FABRICANTE, FINEZA & MARIBAO Group 10

HUMILITY St. Thomas Aquinas explains why humility is preeminent: "Humility

removes pride, whereby a man refuses to submit himself to the truth of faith." Thomas
thinks that although humility is not the most important virtue ― that honour belongs to
charity (love) ― it is the beginning of Christian virtue, because without humility we
cannot be in a position of openness to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And since
supernatural virtues are bestowed by the Holy Spirit, without humility we cannot live
lives of Christian holiness.

Fortitude it means that they have emotional power or reserves and the ability to withstand
adversity. People who have fortitude are described in an admiring way for their courage and
this word comes from the Latin word fortitudo, meaning "strength.

Service the action of helping or doing work for someone.

Excellence Whether you know it or not, God has called all of us to glory and virtue.
Christian virtues can be described as having a godly excellence, a godly goodness, or a
godly righteousness.2nd Peter 1:3 advises us that God has called us to glory and virtue.

LATIN WORDS

FAITH - fidei EXCELLENCE - eximius

HOPE - spero

LOVE - amō

PRUDENCE - prudentiae

JUSTICE - iustitia

TEMPERANCE - et castitate

HUMILITY - humilis

FORTITUDE - fortitudine

SERVICE - servitium
ALIM, FABRICANTE, FINEZA & MARIBAO Group 10