Christian Virtues and their Corresponding Vices (PBS Benin, August 2024 Retreat)
THE VIRTURES: BUILDING A STRONG MORAL FORMATION
A talk delivered to the members of the Pages of the Blessed Sacrament, Archdiocese of Benin City, on the occasion of the 15th Pages Annual Retreat, on Friday 8th August, 2024, at St Paul Minor Seminary, Benin City.
By
Sylvester Idemudia Odia, KSP, KBS.
(Assoc. Prof. of Epistemology & Philosophy of Culture, Dept. of Philosophy, University of Benin)
Introduction
The word “virtue” is from the Greek word “arête” meaning “character”, “ability or power to do something”, or “grace”. It is often contrasted with the word “vice”, which is derived from the Latin “vitium”, which means “weakness in character” or “irregularity”.
The Catholic Church teaches many virtues and emphasizes their importance in living a good and fruitful life on earth, and in attaining eternal life in heaven. Among the virtues, she emphasizes the Theological Virtues, and the Cardinal Virtues.
Beginning with the statement of Aristotle that “virtue lies in the middle”, we shall be looking at some virtues and the corresponding vices as lack and excess for us to understand how to practice the virtues towards building a strong moral foundation.
Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, and Charity (Love).
These are virtues graciously given to us by God for the salvation of our souls. Our main duty is to understand these virtues and grow them by constant practice.
Faith: This is to believe what God has revealed. Emphasis is “What God Has Revealed” in sacred scriptures, and the teaching magisterium and traditions of the Church. The corresponding vices to faith are unbelief (lack) and irrational belief (excess).
Hope: This is to believe that God in His infinite mercy will provide us with the graces necessary for salvation, despite our human limitations and struggles of the world. The corresponding vices to hope are hopelessness/depression (lack) and irrational optimism (excess).
Charity (Love): This is generosity with one’s time, energy and resources. It is to help the needy materially and spiritually. Emphasis is on “the needy”. The corresponding vices to charity/love are stinginess (lack) and extravagance which is wastefulness (excess).
Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance.
These are virtues that serve as foundation for other virtues. We need them to help us build and develop other virtues.
Prudence: This is the ability to judge wisely every action before you carry them out. It requires adequate knowledge of the consequences of our actions. The corresponding vices to prudence are carelessness (lack) and “unguidedness” in words and actions (excess).
Justice: This is to give each person his or her due. It can also mean to be fair to all persons according to their capacity and available resources. The corresponding vices to justice are injustice (lack) and indifference (excess).
Fortitude (braveness): This is firmness in doing good or what is right especially in difficult situations or conditions. This virtue goes with braveness. The corresponding vices to fortitude are timidity or cowardly (lack) and rashness (excess).
Temperance: This is the rational moderation and control of one’s emotions and passions. The corresponding vices to temperance are ascetic, frugal or austere life (lack) and addiction (excess).
Other virtues:
Below are some other virtues we are familiar with and their corresponding vices:
Truthfulness: This is the ability to say things as you have experienced them in line with prudence. You must not say everything if the occasion does not demand for it, or if those around do not deserve to know everything. To say less of what you have experienced based on the occasion you find yourself is prudence. The corresponding vices to truthfulness are self-deprecation (lack) and boastfulness (excess).
Friendliness: This is the ability to relate well with others despite their differences. The corresponding vices to friendliness are quarrelsomeness (lack) and bootlicking (excess).
Humility: This is to accept oneself as one truly is on the recognition that there is nothing we have that were not given by our parents (in the flesh) or by God (in our souls). All we have done is to enhance these gifts or qualities we were given. As much as this is commendable it is also humbling. The corresponding vices to humility are low self-concept (lack) and pride (excess).
Chastity: This is the ability to exercise restraint (prudence and temperance) in sexual matters. It includes our ability to observe cultural and religious rules governing the exercise of our sexuality, and the ability to accept “No!” from persons we want to interact sexually with. The corresponding vices to chastity are too much modesty, especially among married couples (lack) and to be unchastely which is a lack of sexual control that often leads to rape and the abuse of children/minors (excess).
Conclusion
Without the virtues, we will not be morally strong enough to achieve any success in this world, or to attain eternal life in heaven. May God’s grace be abundant in our lives to help us attain virtues, through Jesus Christ our Lord, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament on the altar. Amen.