The cardinal virtues are four virtues of mind and character in both classical philosophy and Christian theology. They are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. They form a virtue theory of ethics. The term cardinal comes from the Latin (hinge); virtues are so called because they are regarded as the basic virtues required for a virtuous life. These principles derive initially from Plato in Republic Book IV, 426–435. Aristotle expounded them systematically in the Nicomachean Ethics. They were also recognized by the Stoics. Cicero expanded on them, and Ambrose, Augustine of Hippo, and Thomas Aquinas adapted them while expanding on the theological virtues. Four cardinal virtues Prudence (, ; ; also Wisdom, Sophia, ), the ability to discern the appropriate course of action to be taken in a given situation at the appropriate time, with consideration of potential consequences. Justice (, ; ): also considered as fairness; the Greek word also having the meaning righteousness Fortitude (, ; ): also termed courage: forbearance, strength, endurance, and the ability to confront fear, uncertainty, and intimidation Temperance (, ; ): also known as restraint, the practice of self-control, abstention, discretion, and moderation tempering the appetition. Plato considered , which may also be translated as sound-mindedness, to be the most important virtue. Antiquity The four cardinal virtues appeared as a group (sometimes included in larger lists) long before they were later given this title. Hellenistic philosophy Plato identified the four cardinal virtues with the classes of the city described in The Republic, and with the faculties of man. Plato narrates a discussion of the character of a good city where the following is agreed upon. Temperance was common to all classes, but primarily associated with the producing classes, the farmers and craftsmen, and with the animal appetites, to whom no special virtue was assigned. Fortitude was assigned to the warrior class and to the spirited element in man. Prudence was assigned to the rulers and to reason. Justice stands outside the class system and divisions of man, and rules the proper relationship among the three of them. Plato sometimes lists holiness (, , ) amongst the cardinal virtues. He especially associates holiness with justice, but leaves their precise relationship unexplained. In Aristotle's Rhetoric, we read: They are expounded fully in the Nicomachean Ethics III.6 — V.2 Philo of Alexandria, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, also recognized the four cardinal virtues as prudence, temperance, courage, and