History Main / SevenHeavenlyVirtues

* [[FullMetalAlchemist Alphonse Elric]] has all seven.

They differ somewhat from the three theological virtues (love, hope, faith) and the four cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude) combined.

In addition, an eighth virtue of Justice is sometimes added.

For the living personification of these virtues, see IncorruptiblePurePureness. For virtues common in villains, see EvilVirtues. For the evil counterpart, see the SevenDeadlySins.

* On the [[AMagicContractComesWithAKiss Pactio]] Cards in ''MahouSenseiNegima'' there are several informations describing the partner. Among them the one called Virtus can be one of cardinal or theological virtues.

* ''The Allegory of Love'' by CSLewis references many of the virtues listed in ''Psychomachia''. Among them are: Orthodoxy, Humility, Patience, and Self-Control in opposition to, respectively: Discord, Pride, Wrath, and Luxury.

* The Charge of the Goddess names the eight virtues as wisdom, beauty, strength, power, mirth, reverence, compassion and humility.

* In ''{{Bayonetta}}'', personifications of the four cardinal virtues are used as antagonists. They represent Courage, Temperance, Justice and Prudence.

** Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
** Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
** Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together.
** Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
** Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
** Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
** Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
* The Boy Scout Law (American Version): "A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent." Similar versions are used in other countries, expressing generally the same morals.

* Flemish painter PieterBruegelTheElder made a series of drawings about The Seven Heavenly Virtues, along with the SevenDeadlySins.

'''[[HumbleHero Humility]]''' - Being Modest in Self. What is fame, but a trapping for the weak? While those with this virtue may not seem like much at first, when all bets are down they will triumph over the loud and crass - if not in sheer power, then at least in poise. This virtue in its purest form is not self-hatred (a common mistake made by those with good intentions but self-esteem problems), but rather a sense of inner knowledge that one does not need to prove their greatness/[[{{Badass}} badassitude]] to the outside world to actually be great/{{Badass}}. The SupportingLeader, TheCowl, and TheDrifter often personify this trope. When used to an extreme, may result in ObfuscatingStupidity. Opposite of {{Pride}}.

In ''Discworld/Going Postal'', the (now) Eight Virtues are Fortitude, Patience, Chastity, Charity, Hope, Silence, Tubso and Bissonomy. Few people practice Tubso and Bissonomy in the busy modern world, because no-one remembers what they are.

[[caption-width-right:350:The Seven ''Political'' Virtues... [[SleazyPolitician who kept a straight face?]]]]

* From TerryPratchett's {{Discworld}}: In the country of Lancre, one family went and named their daughters after the SevenHeavenlyVirtues, Faith, Hope, Charity, Prudence so forth. And out of a misinformed sense of continuity, named their sons along the lines of Bestiality, Anger (among others). Subverted, because each of the daughters came to embody the sin opposite of her virtuous name. Meanwhile, despite everything else, Anger is a kind and calm man, while his brother Bestiality is kind to animals.\\

In ''Going Postal'', the (now) Eight Virtues are Fortitude, Patience, Chastity, Charity, Hope, Silence, Tubso and Bissonomy. Few people practice Tubso and Bissonomy in the busy modern world, because no-one remembers what they are.

* In the ''[[WorldOfDarkness New World Of Darkness]]'', all characters have both Vices and Virtues. Virtues (such as Charity or Faith) take much more work than [[SevenDeadlySins Vices]] to fulfill, but fully restore Willpower when pulled off, as compared to Vices which damage the KarmaMeter (but boost the Willpower stat).\\

* ''FinalFantasyXI'' contains seven bosses (as a group named Jailers of the Sea or Jailers of Virtue) named after the virtues. In order of kill, they are Jailer of: Temperance, Fortitude, Faith, Justice, Hope, Prudence, and Love.
* ''KingdomOfLoathing'' -- The Ultimate Legendary Epic Weapon of the Turtle Tamers is the Flail of the Seven Aspects, representing seven good traits of turtles: Strength, Wisdom, Protection, Tenacity, Fortitude, Valor, and Patience. It can attack seven times in one round.

* Kwanzaa, a celebration of Afro-Ameriacan/African culture in the US has seven principles:

'''[[HumbleHero Humility]]''' - Being Modest in Self. What is fame, but a trapping for the weak? While those with this virtue may not seem like much at first, when all bets are down they will triumph over the loud and crass - if not in sheer power, then at least in poise. This virtue in its purest form is not self-hatred (a common mistake made by those with good intentions but self-esteem problems), but rather a sense of inner knowledge that one does not need to prove their greatness/[[{{Badass}} badassitude]] to the outside world to actually be great/{{Badass}}. TheAragorn, TheCowl, and TheDrifter often personify this trope. When used to an extreme, may result in ObfuscatingStupidity. Opposite of {{Pride}}.

* On the [[AMagicContractComesWithAKiss Pactio]] Cards in MahouSenseiNegima there are several informations describing the partner. Among them the one called Virtus can be one of cardinal or theological virtues.

[[caption-width-right:350:The Seven ''Political'' Virtues...who kept a straight face?]]

* The ''AnneOfGreenGables'' books contain a passing reference to a woman who named her three daughters Faith, Hope, and Charity: "Faith didn't believe in anything, Hope was a born pessimist, and Charity was a miser."

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* ''{{Webcomic/Sins}}'' has personifications of the seven heavenly virtues as some of the characters. In a subversion, they tend to suffer their virtues rather than embody them, and most are bitter about it (when not outright morally questionable).

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* In ''KarakuridoujiUltimo'', there are fifty Douji representing positive traits. Ultimo and the Six Perfects of Buddhism are the strongest of them, fighting against the Douji based on negative traits (including the SevenDeadlySins).
* The {{shonen}} manga series ''KatekyoHitmanReborn'' has the seven protagonists (battling for the right to inherit a powerful [[{{TheMafia}} mafia]] family) embody the SevenHeavenlyVirtues (in opposition to the antagonists, who embody the SevenDeadlySins).
* On the [[AMagicContractComesWithAKiss Pactio]] Cards in MahouSenseiNegima there are several informations describing the partner. Among them the one called Virtus can be one of cardinal or theological virtues.

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* Seven separate virtues make up the Bushido code: Rectitude, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Honesty, Honor, and Loyalty.
* For traditional Japanese society, the PillarsOfMoralCharacter: On (Reciprocacy), Gimu (Piety), Giri (Duty), and Ninjo (Compassion).
* The United States Army endorses seven basic values within its ranks, with an acronym of LDRSHIP: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.
* Knights of the Middle Ages often followed Knightly Virtues based on the heavenly and Cardinal virtues.
* Kwanzaa, a celebration of Afro-Ameriacan/African culture in the US has seven principles:
** Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
** Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
** Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together.
** Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
** Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
** Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
** Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
* The Boy Scout Law (American Version): "A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent." Similar versions are used in other countries, expressing generally the same morals.
* The three virtues of [[http://kw.pm.org/talks/0204-modules/slide013.html programming:]] Laziness, Impatience and Hubris. [[SevenDeadlySins Wait...]]

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'''[[TurnTheOtherCheek Patience]]''' - Being Peaceful in Goal. A willingness to forgive and show mercy. In the face of adversity they may hesitate, but in the end they will endorse stability, reject revenge, and accept the faults of others without prejudice. This virtue is almost always held by TheMedic, ActualPacifists, and the IronWoobie. The major fight involving this virtue will involve [[SheatheYourSword sheathing your sword]]. And if, in the end, a true follower of this virtue cannot win the fight on their terms, they will FaceDeathWithDignity. Opposite of [[UnstoppableRage Wrath]].

'''[[CelibateHero Chastity]]''' - Being Unhindered by Worldly Desires. The ability to overcome temptation and show self-discipline. Note that the fulfillment of the virtue is not through lack of being tempted, but rather of making the conscious decision to better yourself rather than do what you know is morally wrong. This virtue is especially popular with KnightInShiningArmor types and any who choose to become TheFettered. Opposite of (naturally) {{Lust}}.

* The three theological virtues are poisonous to [[OurVampiresAreDifferent the White Court]] in ''TheDresdenFiles''.

* From TerryPratchett's {{Discworld}}: In the country of Lancre, one family went and named their daughters after the SevenHeavenlyVirtues, Faith, Hope, Charity, Prudence so forth. And out of a misinformed sense of continuity, named their sons along the lines of Bestiality, Anger (among others). Subverted, because each of the daughters came to embody the sin opposite of her virtuous name. Meanwhile, despite everything else, Anger is a kind and calm man, while his brother Bestiality is kind to animals.
** He would be kind to animals.
*** I don't think he means that kind of kind.
** In the {{Discworld}} book ''Going Postal'', the (now) Eight Virtues are Fortitude, Patience, Chastity, Charity, Hope, Silence, Tubso and Bissonomy. Few people practice Tubso and Bissonomy in the busy modern world, because no-one remembers what they are.

* In Garth Nix’s ''KeysToTheKingdom'' series, the SevenHeavenlyVirtues are exemplified by the seven pieces of the Will, although an alternate system is used with the four Cardinal Virtues and the three Theological virtues. In order of appearance; Fortitude, Prudence, Faith, Justice, Temperance, Charity, and Hope. These characters are highly unbalanced and are supposed to become more reasonable as they merge into one entity.
** Dame Primus, the entity they merge into, is nothing of the sort at first. Charity's joining her does make a bit of an impact though. [[spoiler:And when Hope joins in, she becomes God.]]

* In ''KarakuridoujiUltimo'', there are 50 Douji representing positive traits. Ultimo and the Six Perfects of Buddhism are the strongest of them, fighting against the Douji based on negative traits (including the SevenDeadlySins).

* Kwanzaa has seven principles:
-->Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
-->Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
-->Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together.
-->Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
-->Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
-->Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
-->Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

* [[http://kw.pm.org/talks/0204-modules/slide013.html The three virtues of programming:]] [[SevenDeadlySins Laziness, Impatience and Hubris.]] [[{{Subversion}} Wait...]]

* In the New ''WorldOfDarkness'', all characters have both Vices and Virtues. Virtues (such as Charity or Faith) take much more work than [[SevenDeadlySins Vices]] to fulfill, but fully restore Willpower when pulled off, as compared to Vices which damage the KarmaMeter (but boost the Willpower stat).
** The Virtues on their list don't precisely match the list given here, let us note. In alphabetical order: Charity, Faith, Fortitude, Hope, Justice, Prudence, Temperance.

* The ''{{Ultima}}'' series contains Eight Virtues which the Avatar must follow: Honesty, Compassion, Valor, Justice, Sacrifice, Honor, Spirituality, and Humility. In turn, these are taken from Three Principles: Truth, Love, and Courage.
** Also from ''Ultima'', the people of [[ParallelUniverse Killorn Keep]] in ''UltimaUnderworld II'' observe a dystopian set of virtues: sobriety, punctuality, obedience, vigilance, conformity, efficiency, silence, diligence.
** In ''{{Ultima}} VII part 2: Serpent Isle'', the (now extinct and vanished, respectively) followers of Chaos and Order each had a set of virtues: Tolerance, Enthusiasm and Emotion for Chaos, and Ethicality, Discipline and Logic for Order. Interestingly, these are not considered opposites to each other, but instead complement each other in Balance, which is considered optimal. (Logic and Emotion creates Rationality, etc, making the virtues of Balance.) Conversely, embracing one while rejecting the other causes imbalance and becomes "anti-virtues": Emotion without Logic is Insanity, and Discipline without Enthusiasm becomes Apathy.

* The Ultimate Legendary Epic Weapon of the Turtle Tamers in ''KingdomOfLoathing'' is the Flail of the Seven Aspects, representing 7 good traits of turtles: Strength, Wisdom, Protection, Tenacity, Fortitude, Valor, and Patience. It can attack 7 times in one round.

'''[[CelibateHero Chastity]]''' - Being Unhindered by Worldly Desires. The ability to overcome temptation and show self-discipline. Note that the fulfillment of the virtue is not through lack of being tempted, but rather of making the conscious decision to better yourself rather than do what you know is morally wrong. This virtue is especially popular with KnightInShiningArmor types and any who choose to become TheFettered. Opposite of (naturally) {{Lust}}

'''[[HeroicVow Temperance]]''' - Being Controlled in Self. The moral decision slopes encountered through life are slippery, and it is easy to descend into unintended but [[WellIntentionedExtremist well intentioned extremism]]. That analogy considered, this virtue is like using [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crampons crampons]] made out of justice. Those in command of this virtue realize the legitimacy in several different points of view, and maintain a neutral perspective dealing with issues that might cause HeroicBSOD in others. This virtue often leads to being able to TakeAThirdOption. This virtue is a specialty of TheCrown, a BadassPacifist, and usually the GuileHero. Opposite of [[VillainousGlutton Gluttony]].

* In ''{{Bayonetta}}'', personifications of the four cardinal virtues are used as antagonists. They represent Endurance, Temperance, Justice and Wisdom.

-> "Strength and honor! " "Go with honor, friend." "Remember, patience...discipline." "Keep your feet on the ground!"\\

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/All_Gori_rulers_frescos_Political_virtues_from_the_Plazzo_Pubblico_in_Siena-1024x768-1192_7604.jpg
[[caption-width:1024:The Seven ''Political'' Virtues...who kept a straight face?]]


-> "Strength and honor! " "Go with honor, friend." "Remember, patience...discipline." "Keep your feet on the ground!"
-->-- '''Horde and Alliance [=NPCs=]''', ''WorldOfWarcraft''.

In addition, an eighth virtue of Justice is sometimes added.

For the living personification of these virtues, see IncorruptiblePurePureness. For the evil counterpart, see the SevenDeadlySins.