YOUCAT Question n. 299 - Part II. What is meant by a “virtue”?
(Youcat
answer - repeated) A virtue is an interior disposition, a positive habit, a
passion that has been placed at the service of the good.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 1805) Four
virtues play a pivotal role and accordingly are called "cardinal";
all the others are grouped around them. They are: prudence, justice, fortitude,
and temperance. "If anyone loves righteousness, [Wisdom's] labors are
virtues; for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice, and courage"
(Wis 8:7). These virtues are praised under other names in many passages of
Scripture.
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your
heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). That means that we must change on our
way to God. By our human abilities we can do that only in fits and starts. With
his grace God supports the human virtues and gives us, above and beyond that,
the so-called supernatural virtues ( 305), which help us to come closer to God
and live more securely in his light.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 1806) Prudence is
the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance
and to choose the right means of achieving it; "the prudent man looks
where he is going" (Prov 14:15). "Keep sane and sober for your
prayers" (1 Pet 4:7). Prudence is "right reason in action,"
writes St. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle (St. Thomas Aquinas, STh II-II,
47, 2). It is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or
dissimulation. It is called auriga
virtutum (the charioteer of the virtues); it guides the other virtues by
setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment
of conscience. The prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance
with this judgment. With the help of this virtue we apply moral principles to
particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve
and the evil to avoid.
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