What are the four cardinal virtues taught by Divine Wisdom?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

In Holy Scripture and the patristic tradition, the four primary (or cardinal) virtues produced and taught by divine Wisdom are explicitly set forth in the Wisdom of Solomon 8:7:

"If anyone loves righteousness, her labors are virtues; for she teaches self-control, discernment, righteousness, and courage, concerning which things there is nothing more valuable in the life of man."

The Alexandrian Fathers, including St. Clement of Alexandria and Didymus the Blind, emphasized that these four virtues are not merely human philosophical ideals, but spiritual realities rooted in the soul through participation in Christ, the incarnate Wisdom of God.

1. Discernment or Practical Wisdom (Prudence)

• Greek loanword in ecclesiastical texts: phronēsis
• Meaning: The spiritual eye of the soul that distinguishes between good and evil, truth and falsehood. It directs all actions toward the ultimate end of salvation and communion with God. Without spiritual discernment, even an apparent good can be corrupted by pride or indiscretion.

2. Self-Control or Moderation (Temperance)

• Greek loanword: sōphrosynē
• Meaning: The ordering and mastery of bodily appetites, passions, and impulses. In Orthodox asceticism, self-control is practiced through fasting, vigil, and prayer, keeping the flesh in subjection to the spirit so the soul remains pure and receptive to the Holy Spirit.

3. Righteousness (Justice)

• Native Bohairic Coptic: ti-metmei
• Meaning: Giving to each what is due—first giving God complete honor, worship, and obedience, and then treating one’s neighbor with equity, love, and mercy. It is the active living out of God's commandments in uprightness of heart.

4. Courage (Fortitude)

• Native Bohairic Coptic: ti-metjori
• Meaning: The spiritual strength and endurance (hypomonē) to stand firm in the truth against temptations, demonic warfare, suffering, and persecution. It is the defining virtue of the martyrs and confessors who endured death rather than deny Christ.

Together, these four virtues form an interconnected foundation for the spiritual life: discernment guides the mind, self-control purifies the desires, courage strengthens the will against fear and adversity, and righteousness harmonizes the soul's relationship with God and mankind.