What are the cardinal virtues?

What are the cardinal virtues?

• A. Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance
• B. Faith, Hope, Charity, and Prudence
• C. Theological Virtues
• D. The Seven Deadly Sins

Answer: (A)

The main idea is identifying the four core moral traits that guide practical action in everyday life. These are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance—the four cardinal virtues. Prudence is practical wisdom: knowing the right thing to do and planning how to do it. Justice is about fairness and giving others their due. Fortitude is courage and perseverance to do what’s right, even when it’s hard. Temperance is self-control, keeping desires in check so they don’t derail good choices. Together, they shape how we reason through actions and stay committed to the right course. Why this set fits better than the others: the theological virtues—faith, hope, and charity—focus on our relationship with God and trust, not on the four basic habits for guiding everyday actions; the term Theological Virtues refers to that category, not a list of four practical habits. The Seven Deadly Sins are the opposite of virtues—these are vices to avoid. So the four described here are the cardinal virtues.

The main idea is identifying the four core moral traits that guide practical action in everyday life. These are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance—the four cardinal virtues. Prudence is practical wisdom: knowing the right thing to do and planning how to do it. Justice is about fairness and giving others their due. Fortitude is courage and perseverance to do what’s right, even when it’s hard. Temperance is self-control, keeping desires in check so they don’t derail good choices. Together, they shape how we reason through actions and stay committed to the right course.

Why this set fits better than the others: the theological virtues—faith, hope, and charity—focus on our relationship with God and trust, not on the four basic habits for guiding everyday actions; the term Theological Virtues refers to that category, not a list of four practical habits. The Seven Deadly Sins are the opposite of virtues—these are vices to avoid. So the four described here are the cardinal virtues.