Origins
The four principal virtues were already described by Plato in the Republic and developed by Aristotle, Cicero and the Church Fathers. The name “cardinal” comes from the Latin cardo - hinge: the other virtues “turn” on them. The Book of Wisdom lists them together (Wis 8:7), and Saint Thomas Aquinas treated them in detail in the Summa Theologiae. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches about them in nos. 1805-1809.
The four virtues in leadership
| Virtue | Definition (CCC) | In a leader's work |
|---|---|---|
| Prudence | disposes practical reason to discern our true good and choose the right means | decision making, discernment, seeking counsel |
| Justice | the constant and firm will to give God and neighbour their due | equal treatment, fair rules, no favouritism (cf. LMX theory) |
| Fortitude | ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in pursuit of the good | difficult conversations, unpopular decisions, defending the weaker |
| Temperance | moderates attraction to pleasures and provides balance in the use of goods | managing emotions, boundaries, leader ecology |
Prudence is called the “charioteer of the virtues” (auriga virtutum) because it guides the others - showing what in a concrete situation is just, courageous and temperate.
Virtuous leadership
Alexandre Havard (Virtuous Leadership, 2007) shows that the cardinal virtues, together with magnanimity and humility, form the core of leadership. Contemporary positive psychology (Peterson and Seligman, 2004) also draws on the classical virtues, describing wisdom, courage, justice and temperance as universal virtues found across cultures.
The theological virtues
The Christian tradition adds to the cardinal virtues the theological virtues: faith, hope and love (1 Cor 13:13; CCC 1812-1829). Love is “the bond of perfection” (Col 3:14), which animates all the other virtues. For a community leader this means that service flows from love of God and people, not only from a sense of duty. See the leader's character.
Sources
Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1803-1829 St Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, II-II, qq. 47-170 Plato, Republic, book IV A. Havard, Virtuous Leadership, Scepter 2007 C. Peterson, M. E. P. Seligman, Character Strengths and Virtues, Oxford University Press 2004 Wis 8:7; 1 Cor 13:13; Col 3:14