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Cicero on virtue: Virtue is a disposition [habitus] of spirit [animus] in harmony with the measure of nature and of reason. So when we know all its parts, we will have considered all the force of simple honor. It has four parts: prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance. Prudence is the knowledge of what is good, what is bad, and what is neutral. [...] Justice is a disposition of spirit which, having preserved the common utility [communis utilitas--perhaps the "common good"], gives to each his due [dignitas*]. Fortitudo [courage] is considered the undertaking of dangers and the enduring of labors ... Temperance
is a firm and moderate control exercised by calculation over lust and
other impulses of the spirit that are not right [not straight] ... Cicero: De inventione 2.53.159-2.54.163 |