cardinal virtue

See synonyms for: cardinal virtue cardinal virtues on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

Origin of cardinal virtue

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Economy with the good old soul was a cardinal virtue, waste a deadly sin.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph Tatlow
And may it not be forgotten that all apparent reformation must be hedged by this cardinal virtue of practical life!
Thoughts on Educational Topics and Institutions | George S. Boutwell
Therefore obedience was made a cardinal virtue, as essential to the very existence of monastic institutions.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume V | John Lord
Patience is a cardinal virtue with men of his profession, a moment's undue haste often undoing the work of hours.
The Phantom of the River | Edward S. Ellis
I began to perceive that merriment is only malice in disguise, and that the chief cardinal virtue is misanthropy.
A Budget of Christmas Tales by Charles Dickens and Others | Various

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