VIRTUES

Virtues are habits of doing good. There are seven basic virtues:

The Theological Virtues
(Theological = having to do with God)

Faith is the theological virtue by
which we believe in God and believe
all that he has said and revealed to
us, and that Holy Church proposes for
our belief, because he is truth itself.

Hope is the theological virtue by
which we desire the kingdom of
heaven and eternal life as our happi-
ness, placing our trust in Christ's
promises and relying not on our own
strength, but on the help of the grace
of the Holy Spirit.

Charity is the theological virtue by
which we love God above all things
for his own sake, and our neighbor as
ourselves for the love of God.

The Cardinal Virtues
(Cardinal = hinge)

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

Justice is the moral virtue that con-
sists in the constant and firm will to
give their due to God and neighbor.

Fortitude is the moral virtue that
ensures firmness in difficulties and
constancy in the pursuit of the good.

Temperance is the moral virtue that
moderates the attraction of pleasures
and provides balance in the use of
created goods.

Catechism '92

Sin is basically a willed act (or willed omission) in opposition to one of the
above virtues.

Macbeth sins against Faith by believing in fortune-telling, for example. He de-
nies Man's free will, and consorts with the agents of Evil. And let's not forget
regicide.

He sins against Hope because he despairs.

He sins against Charity by murdering all those people.

Etc.