The Distinction of Moral Virtues

The moral virtues are habits of the intellectiveappetency called the will. Like all habits they are distinguished by their respective objects.

First, moral virtues may be classified as those that control operations (for instance, justice) and those that control the passions (temperance). There is an overlapping in the exercise of these two classes of moral virtues, as, for example, when a man acts justly with pleasure or joy, or performs his duty (justice)with courage.

In reference to operations there are various moralvirtues, such as religion and piety; yet all these are rooted inthe virtue of justice.

And likewise there are various moral virtues which control passions. Fortitude touches fear and courage; meeknessmoderates anger; temperance controls desire.

The moral virtues which regulate passions are distinguished from one another by the distinct objects of the passions involved inasmuch as these are subject to reason. Thus, we distinguish fortitude, liberality, temperance, friendship,truthfulness, etc.