View synonyms for cardinal virtue

cardinal virtue

noun

anything considered to be an important or characteristic virtue:
Tenacity is his cardinal virtue.
cardinal virtues, Ancient Philosophy. justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude.

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Economy with the good old soul was a cardinal virtue, waste a deadly sin.

And may it not be forgotten that all apparent reformation must be hedged by this cardinal virtue of practical life!

Therefore obedience was made a cardinal virtue, as essential to the very existence of monastic institutions.

Patience is a cardinal virtue with men of his profession, a moment's undue haste often undoing the work of hours.

I began to perceive that merriment is only malice in disguise, and that the chief cardinal virtue is misanthropy.

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