The Cardinal Virtues
There is a difference between doing some particular just or temperate action and being a just or temperate man. … Now it is that quality rather than the particular actions which we mean when we talk of a ‘virtue.’
Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis
Lewis moves on to consider the Cardinal Virtues – virtues which all civilized societies agree upon. These, separate from the Christian Virtues, which, as the name suggests, are deemed virtuous in Christian societies.
These four are called “Cardinal” because all other virtues hinge on these – apparently the word cardinal comes from a Latin word meaning the hinge of a door. Basically, there is no way to realize the Christian Virtues (faith, hope, love) without first realizing these Cardinal Virtues.
The first of these is Prudence (wisdom). It can be considered practical common sense, considering what one is doing and what would be the likely consequences. Think before you act, think about your actions sensibly. Yes, as Christians, we are to come as children – simple-minded, teachable; but we are also to deploy every bit of intelligence given to us by God. We are to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves.
In our acts of charity, we are not to remain unconcerned about the possibility that the charity might be a fraud. Intellectual slackers are not any different in God’s eyes than slackers of any kind. We are to use, fully, the gifts God has provided.
If you are thinking of becoming a Christian, I warn you, you are embarking on something which is going to take the whole of you, brains and all.
Christianity itself is an education; whatever one’s intelligence, in a dedicated Christian it will be sharpened.
The second Cardinal Virtue is Temperance (restraint, self-control). No, it does not mean a teetotaler. It originally referred to all pleasures – not to abstain, but to moderate, going only to the right length. What is the right length? In many cases, it depends on circumstance. If you are with someone for whom your pleasure is a vice, be cautious on your approach. If you wish to enjoy some pleasure, do not harm yourself or others in the doing.
If the harmful or excessive behavior is drinking, then deal with this; if it is too much time online, deal with this; if it is gambling, deal with this. Restraint, or self-control in all behaviors is the point.
Of course, just because you find something harmful for yourself does not mean it is harmful for everyone else – you don’t get to look down on others who continue in a practice you suddenly decided was harmful for you. It is “self” control, after all.
The third is Justice (fairness). The clarification, “fairness,” is very important. This isn’t merely for what goes on in a courtroom. Fair play, honesty, give and take, truthfulness, keeping promises. Say what you will do, then do what you said. Take account of the situation before coming down with a premature decision.
Finally, Fortitude (courage, endurance). Yes, face danger, and yes, stick it out under pain – it is both of these. It is clear, none of the previous virtues can be practiced for long or very effectively without fortitude. That you are to live virtuously in all your relations does not mean others will act the same with you. And for this, one requires fortitude.
Conclusion
Notice something very important – these are virtues, not merely boxes to check. It isn’t a scorecard – did I do X, Y, and Z today? No. it is a way of being. Call it a spirit within you.
Someone who is not a good tennis player may now and then make a good shot.
A good (virtuous) tennis player will regularly and consistently make good shots – because he is a good tennis player. Making a good shot once in a while says nothing of the spirit of the player.
In other words, it matters why you do something, not merely that you do it. With intent or by chance, willingly or unwillingly, cheerfully or sullenly, for its own sake or due to fear. Doing the right actions for the wrong reasons is not virtuous.
Yes, God wants obedience – and one can say he is charitable because God commands it. Yes, I can choose to willingly follow God’s commands. But, recall: God loves a cheerful giver. He wants people of a particular sort, not merely people doing a particular behavior.