The Virtue of Fortitude

We speak of fortitude as a virtue. In another place we shall discuss the gift of the Holy Ghost which has the same name. Fortitude is the virtue which enables a person to withstand the greatest difficulties that block him from attaining his true goal.

It is the special business of fortitude to stand up to grave difficulties and dangers. Since it has a special business, a special aim and purpose, it serves good in a special way, and is a special virtue. This means that fortitude is specifically distinct from other virtues, and is a clear-cut virtue on its own account.

Fortitude puts down the paralysis of fear that would keep a person from facing up to danger. On the other hand, itmoderatesdaring or courage which, without it, might lead aman to wildly impulsive and ineffective action.

In strictest interpretation of its meaning, fortitude is the virtue of bravely facing the danger of death. A man capable of meeting with fortitude this greatest of dangers is not dauntedby lesser perils.

Therefore, fortitude is a soldierly virtue which faces danger of death in defense of a just cause, whether in actual war,or in the warring we wage in daily life against the enemies of our soul and its salvation. Fortitude is the hero’s virtue, the martyr’s virtue; it faces death bravely in spite of inner fears. Fortitude strengthens the soldier in war; fortitude helps aman practice religion in the face of derision and persecution;fortitude enables a person to care for the sick or to bury the dead in spite of the serious risk of deadly infection.

The chief act of fortitude is that of enduring, of bearing up, of seeing the business through. It is not alone the virtue of coming to grips with danger; it is also the holding on.

The brave man cherishes fortitude as something good in itself, and he strives to have it, to preserve it, and to manifest it in action when occasion calls for its exercise.

The man of fortitude has delight of soul in his strong endurance for good. Yet he must bear threat and hardship, pain, and perhaps death; in these trials, as such, there is no delight, but sorrow.

Fortitude is a virtue which meets danger as it comes,and often it comes suddenly and without warning. But fortitudeendures because it is seated in the soul as a habit, and therefore it involves long forethought and preparation by which a man is made ready for sudden assaults.

Into the action of a brave man under the stress of attack and serious danger, there enters an element of anger; notimmoderate, but moderate anger.

Fortitude is a fundamental or cardinal virtue. It is an aid to every other virtue as a bulwark ofsteadfastness, and helps other virtues attain their ends despite what blocks and deters them.

Fortitude is a great and necessary virtue, but it isnot the most excellent of all. Of the four cardinal virtues, the descending order of excellence is as follows: prudence is first,justice second, fortitude third, and temperance fourth.