Whenever we lie, cheat, steal, take the easy way out, or ignore others in need, life is immediately easier for us. But after a while, these things weigh on our consciences.If you choose the virtuous path in each of these situations, you live without regret, with purity, and with good intentions. There is nothing freer than that.These virtues are regarded by many different philosophers to be the basis for living a good and righteous life:<ul><li>Temperance</li><li>Fortitude</li><li>Prudence</li><li>Justice</li></ul>

The cardinal virtues of Greek philosophy and their benefits

Temperance is the virtue that deals with self-control and moderation. Many things can turn into addictions and it is important for happiness that people be moderate and tempered in their lives.

The virtue of Temperance

Fortitude is equivalent to strength and endurance. It means that although we have tough life situations we persevere and continue on a path that will lead us and our loved ones to better outcomes.Fortitude means to change your perspective and instead of thinking, “I am so unlucky this is happening”, to instead think “I am so lucky because even though this is happening I have the strength to endure it.”

The virtue of Fortitude

Prudence is the ability to discern the appropriate course of action for a given situation.Many people wrongly think that being a good person means being gullible and naive. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Good people must use the rationality they have to the fullest extent.

The virtue of Prudence

Justice is regarded by many to be the most important virtue and it relates to fairness and righteousness.Justice is important so that everyone in society has their fair share. It is the fundamental morality we hold as humans.

The virtue of Justice

<figure><img alt="Image for post" src="https://miro.medium.com/max/500/0*c2WXoF7hSMP066Gf" width="785" height="523"><figcaption class="ii ij cx cv cw ik il cc b fp ce cf" data-selectable-paragraph="" dir="ltr">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@micheile?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral" class="ci im" rel="noopener nofollow" dir="ltr">Micheile Henderson</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=medium&amp;utm_medium=referral" class="ci im" rel="noopener nofollow" dir="ltr">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure>For many of us, going about our daily lives can be difficult. We are constantly inundated with situations where we must make decisions.If someone cuts us off on the freeway, we must decide whether to ignore it and go about our day or lash out in anger.If we have a job we dislike but must continue to go to for the sake of family or financial stability.When we are faced with challenges in life, we can develop a course of action that will hopefully lead us to the desired outcome.Let’s say there is a situation where we see our coworker is being overworked. We have the choice to either step in and help them or go on about our day and ignore it.<h2 data-selectable-paragraph="">Why should we care about these situations? Does our reaction to each matter?</h2>We should care because regardless of our belief system, these virtues will bring us happiness. Whenever we lie, cheat, steal, take the easy way out, or ignore others in need, life is immediately easier for us. But after a while, these things weigh on our consciences.Do you ever notice how it’s much easier in the short-run to curse at a bad driver, but then your anxiety and anger end up making your day worse?How about when you lie to someone in a situation where the truth would lead to your embarrassment?Yes, by lying you immediately feel better — like you dodged a bullet — but later, when you self-reflect on that lie, you realize that what you are doing is hurting yourself. You are so embarrassed by your situation that you have to lie to someone to save face.These things seem of little consequence, but they eventually add up and lead to people feeling miserable.People think that they are being clever by lying, cheating, or flattering to get something they want but they don’t realize that the person being hurt is themselves.If you choose the virtuous path in each of these situations, you live without regret, with purity, and with good intentions. There is nothing freer than that.<BLOCKQUOTE>All the situations above involve the four cardinal virtues: temperance, fortitude, prudence, and justice.</BLOCKQUOTE>These virtues are regarded by many different philosophers to be the basis for living a good and righteous life. If a person wants to be happy, it is suggested that they develop these virtues.<h2 data-selectable-paragraph="">Temperance</h2>Temperance is the virtue that deals with self-control and moderation. Temperance involves us realizing that as human beings we are prone to addictions.These addictions aren’t just to alcohol and drugs — they can be to fitness, ideologies, or even work.Many things can turn into addictions and it is important for happiness that people be moderate and tempered in their lives.<h2 data-selectable-paragraph="">Fortitude</h2>Fortitude is equivalent to strength and endurance. It means that although we have tough life situations we persevere and continue on a path that will lead us and our loved ones to better outcomes.I usually think of my father for this virtue. He told me that when I was born and he didn’t have a job he wanted to cry on the inside, but he kept moving forward and reached a better situation for his family.Fortitude means to change your perspective and instead of thinking, “I am so unlucky this is happening”, to instead think “I am so lucky because even though this is happening I have the strength to endure it.”<h2 data-selectable-paragraph="">Prudence</h2>Prudence is the ability to discern the appropriate course of action for a given situation. This involves using everything a person has learned and their judgment and applying it to a person’s current situation.Many people wrongly think that being a good person means being gullible and naive. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Good people must use the rationality they have to the fullest extent.Imagine if we had genuinely good people in politics and banking.<h2 data-selectable-paragraph="">Justice</h2>Justice is regarded by many to be the most important virtue and it relates to fairness and righteousness. Justice is the happy medium between being independent and helping others.Justice is important so that everyone in society has their fair share. It is the fundamental morality we hold as humans. Our human justice system is built upon this idea of moral law.<h2 data-selectable-paragraph="">Conclusion</h2>These four cardinal virtues form the basis of being a good person for many philosophers and Christian scholars. The development of one or all of them should bring greater happiness and satisfaction in our lives.<figure><img alt="Image for post" src="https://miro.medium.com/max/500/1*nwfCGffplYJcsY4ZKum6dQ.jpeg" width="400" height="150"></figure>This story is published in <a href="https://medium.com/koinonia" rel="noopener" dir="ltr">Koinonia </a>— stories by Christians to encourage, entertain, and empower you in your faith, food, fitness, family, and fun.We are a <a href="https://www.smedian.com/p/5c646f03cac397ec0012c9d2/dashboard" rel="noopener nofollow" dir="ltr">Smedian Publication</a>. Find out <a href="https://medium.com/koinonia/about" rel="noopener" dir="ltr">about us</a> and how to<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpRfb7RURrQvXR1x48dS1c2bQBuiJ3H8lrsHP8V0Wg1qetNQ/viewform" rel="noopener nofollow" dir="ltr"> write for us</a>.

These four cardinal virtues are regarded by many different philosophers to be the basis for living a good and righteous life.

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

For many of us, going about our daily lives can be difficult. We are constantly inundated with situations where we must make decisions.

If someone cuts us off on the freeway, we must decide whether to ignore it and go about our day or lash out in anger.

If we have a job we dislike but must continue to go to for the sake of family or financial stability.

When we are faced with challenges in life, we can develop a course of action that will hopefully lead us to the desired outcome.

Let’s say there is a situation where we see our coworker is being overworked. We have the choice to either step in and help them or go on about our day and ignore it.

Why should we care about these situations? Does our reaction to each matter?

We should care because regardless of our belief system, these virtues will bring us happiness. Whenever we lie, cheat, steal, take the easy way out, or ignore others in need, life is immediately easier for us. But after a while, these things weigh on our consciences.

Do you ever notice how it’s much easier in the short-run to curse at a bad driver, but then your anxiety and anger end up making your day worse?

How about when you lie to someone in a situation where the truth would lead to your embarrassment?

Yes, by lying you immediately feel better — like you dodged a bullet — but later, when you self-reflect on that lie, you realize that what you are doing is hurting yourself. You are so embarrassed by your situation that you have to lie to someone to save face.

These things seem of little consequence, but they eventually add up and lead to people feeling miserable.

People think that they are being clever by lying, cheating, or flattering to get something they want but they don’t realize that the person being hurt is themselves.

If you choose the virtuous path in each of these situations, you live without regret, with purity, and with good intentions. There is nothing freer than that.

All the situations above involve the four cardinal virtues: temperance, fortitude, prudence, and justice.

These virtues are regarded by many different philosophers to be the basis for living a good and righteous life. If a person wants to be happy, it is suggested that they develop these virtues.

Temperance is the virtue that deals with self-control and moderation. Temperance involves us realizing that as human beings we are prone to addictions.

These addictions aren’t just to alcohol and drugs — they can be to fitness, ideologies, or even work.

Many things can turn into addictions and it is important for happiness that people be moderate and tempered in their lives.

Fortitude is equivalent to strength and endurance. It means that although we have tough life situations we persevere and continue on a path that will lead us and our loved ones to better outcomes.

I usually think of my father for this virtue. He told me that when I was born and he didn’t have a job he wanted to cry on the inside, but he kept moving forward and reached a better situation for his family.

Fortitude means to change your perspective and instead of thinking, “I am so unlucky this is happening”, to instead think “I am so lucky because even though this is happening I have the strength to endure it.”

Prudence is the ability to discern the appropriate course of action for a given situation. This involves using everything a person has learned and their judgment and applying it to a person’s current situation.

Many people wrongly think that being a good person means being gullible and naive. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Good people must use the rationality they have to the fullest extent.

Imagine if we had genuinely good people in politics and banking.

Justice is regarded by many to be the most important virtue and it relates to fairness and righteousness. Justice is the happy medium between being independent and helping others.

Justice is important so that everyone in society has their fair share. It is the fundamental morality we hold as humans. Our human justice system is built upon this idea of moral law.

These four cardinal virtues form the basis of being a good person for many philosophers and Christian scholars. The development of one or all of them should bring greater happiness and satisfaction in our lives.

This story is published in <a dir="ltr" href="https://medium.com/koinonia" rel="noopener">Koinonia </a>— stories by Christians to encourage, entertain, and empower you in your faith, food, fitness, family, and fun.

We are a <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.smedian.com/p/5c646f03cac397ec0012c9d2/dashboard" rel="noopener nofollow">Smedian Publication </a>. Find out <a dir="ltr" href="https://medium.com/koinonia/about" rel="noopener">about us </a>and how to<a dir="ltr" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpRfb7RURrQvXR1x48dS1c2bQBuiJ3H8lrsHP8V0Wg1qetNQ/viewform" rel="noopener nofollow">write for us </a>.

The Four Cardinal Virtues

The cardinal virtues of Greek philosophy and their benefits

The virtue of Temperance

The virtue of Fortitude

The virtue of Prudence

The virtue of Justice

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