The Classical Virtues
Always look for how virtues are promoted in classical literature. The Greek idea of virtue was arete, “excellence.” A person who excels displays virtue. The Latin notion is translated is virtus,“manliness.” Plato and others spoke of four virtues: Wisdom, Courage, Temperance, and Justice (or by some other synonyms expressing the same ideas). These 4 are called the classical virtues.
In the NT, Paul spoke of Faith, Hope, and Love (1 Cor 13:13; 1 Thess 1:3; 5:8) and the church later promoted these as the theological virtues, designating the 4 classical virtues as cardinal virtues. Thus, western culture would often speak of the seven virtues in literature since the church did not see the cardinal virtues in opposition to the theological virtues. In fact, what we call the classical virtues are also scriptural qualities.
See if you can find them and note any distinctives.
Classical/Cardinal Virtues
Classical Definition Christian Definition
1. WISDOM
2. COURAGE
3. TEMPERANCE
4. JUSTICE
Christian/fheological Virtues
Classical Definition Christian Definition
5. FAITH
6. HOPE
…
7. LOVE
RRQ: How do classical authors like Homer, Aeschylus, Epictetus, et al., portray the pursuit of virtue? Were their characters ever selfless, positive, and god-seeking, or only selfish, negative, and glory-seeking in the pursuit of virtue? Did virtue require sacrifice? Who demonstrated this? How?
RRQ: Paul’s early letters (Romans, 1-2 Cor, Galatians, 1-2 Thess, Ph~l) do speak o:”faith;, hope_, and love” (the theological virtues), but that does not mean he did not recogmze the classical viiiues” as important. How do his later Pastoral Epistles (Titus, 1-2 Tim) speak of godliness, justice, temperance, and courage (e.g., Titus 1: 1-2)?
