Eight Virtues
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- "Eight Virtues" redirects here. For the Virtue system used in the games of the "Ultima"-series, see Virtues of Ultima.
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The Eight Virtues are quite similar to that of the Seven Holy Virtues. The Eight virtues are sometimes known as the Apostle Virtues. The practice of these virtues not only insured that it was alleged to protect one against temptation of the Seven Deadly Sins and also a higher level than the Seven Holy Virtues (The opposite of the Seven Deadly Sins).
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[edit] The Virtues
Ranked in ascending order of sanctity, the eight virtues are:
- Chastity (Latin, virtus) (purity, opposes lust, Latin luxuria) —
Courage and boldness. Embracing of moral wholesomeness and achieving purity of thought through education and betterment. Practicing sexual abstinence.
- 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.
- Justice (Latin, Justicia) (honesty & righteousness, opposes wrongness or dishonesty, (No Latin)) —
Honesty, and the giving of righteousness. Being fair or telling the truth. Doing what is right and not what is wrong. It is the light of truth that conquers the dark of the wrong. Justness, equity, evenhandedness, impartiality, objectivity, neutrality, disinterestedness, morals, morality.
[edit] Theology
Restraint is the keystone of the eight virtues:
- 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
- Justice — Pursuit of Righteousness and Honesty
[edit] 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 (thought of as 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.
