natural virtues

British  

plural noun

1. (esp among the scholastics) those virtues of which man is capable without direct help from God, specifically justice, temperance, prudence, and fortitude Compare theological virtues

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Example Sentences

Some Renaissance thinkers praised the Indians as innocent “noble savages” whose natural virtues mocked the vices of civilized Christians, though exaggerated accounts of Indian innocence were as unrealistic as contrasting reports of Indian savagery.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

Even Dr. Argure, and he is fearfully sound on the doctrine of total depravity, admits that there are some good traits about him, "natural virtues" he is careful to explain, not "saving graces."

From Laicus; Or, the Experiences of a Layman in a Country Parish. by Abbott, Lyman

Within the fourth and most important class, the social virtues, Hume distinguishes between the natural virtues of humanity and benevolence and the artificial virtues of justice and fidelity.

From History of Modern Philosophy From Nicolas of Cusa to the Present Time by Falckenberg, Richard

This is not the case with the natural virtues.

From A Treatise of Human Nature by Hume, David

They had faults, great ones if you please; at the same time they knew them to be faults, and they had the natural virtues in greater or less degrees.

From Life of Father Hecker by Elliott, Walter