The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms - Ross Murfin 2018

Seven Cardinal Virtues

Seven Cardinal Virtues: The seven virtues identified by medieval Christian theologians as being of paramount importance. These virtues included charity (love), faith, hope, fortitude, justice, prudence, and temperance. Biblical teachings (1 Cor. 13:13) were the source of the first three virtues; as such, they have often been called the theological virtues. The latter four virtues, emphasized by ancient Greek philosophers, have been called the natural virtues.

The Seven Cardinal Virtues are distinguished from the Seven Contrary Virtues, considered the counterparts to the Seven Deadly Sins.