Second, virtue is in relativity with vice, or sin ( hamartia, “to miss the mark”). Virtues can be taught and gained through practice, but only if they are first known and valued. The concept of virtue ( virtutem, “force, power, strength, high character, valor”) gives a meaningful structure with which to build one’s life around.įirst, virtue comes from within, it is internal rather than external motivation.
The seven virtues are a teaching of ancient psychology, starting from the Greek philosophies of Plato and Aristotle and later developed within Christian theology.
