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Seven Heavenly Virtues

From the Seven Political Virtues in Siena's Palazzo Pubblico.

The Seven Heavenly Virtues is a classic interpretation of seven basic concepts that will lead your soul to glory. They differ somewhat from the three theological virtues (love, hope, faith) and the four cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude) combined.

In alphabetical order, here are the big seven (each of which conveniently corresponds to one of the Seven Deadly Sins), along with some trope examples demonstrating each. Note that this is just one list; there are plenty of others, as shown below.

Charity - Being Generous Towards Others. A willingness, or even desire, to help others and better the world, no matter the cost to your personal self. The path of a graceful and noble spirit. The Good Samaritan is this virtue personified. This virtue is the mainstay of The Atoner, and Hurting Hero. An extremely strong sense of Charity, to the point that it overcomes common sense, becomes Honor Before Reason. Using this virtue as an excuse for suicidal tendencies or poor planning results in Martyr Without a Cause, although in a Martyrdom Culture this virtue will more easily extend to a Death Seeker. Opposite of Greed .

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 Knight in Shining Armor types and any who choose to become The Fettered. Opposite of Lust.

Diligence - Being Steadfast in Work. Despite the problems that surface, no matter what stands in their way, one with this virtue will accomplish their goals and stay true to their core beliefs. If there is work to be done, they will do their best to get it finished, and properly. This is a common trait of The Cape and those that have Jumped at the Call. This is also the virtue most likely to be held by the Anti-Hero. Opposite of Sloth.

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/badassitude to the outside world to actually be great/Badass. The Supporting Leader, The Cowl, and The Drifter often personify this trope. When used to an extreme, may result in Obfuscating Stupidity. Opposite of Pride.

Kindness - Being Good Towards All Life. Everything will be okay somehow! is the motto of those that follow this virtue. Whether times are good or tough, those holding this virtue true to heart will endure in wishing the best for everyone. Embodied by the Broken Hero and The Pollyanna as well as the Friend to All Living Things. Leveling up this virtue to max grants the ability Care Bear Stare. While this virtue may seem light-hearted, beware: if the strength of this virtue in a cute person is not enough, yet they depend on it in the face of adversity, it will Break the Cutie. Opposite of Envy.

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 The Medic, Actual Pacifists, and the Iron Woobie. The major fight involving this virtue will involve sheathing your sword. And if, in the end, a true follower of this virtue cannot win the fight on their terms, they will Face Death with Dignity. Opposite of Wrath.

Temperance - Being Controlled in Self. The moral decision slopes encountered through life are slippery, and it is easy to descend into unintended but well intentioned extremism. That analogy considered, this virtue is like using 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 Heroic BSOD in others. This virtue often leads to being able to Take a Third Option. This virtue is a specialty of a Badass Pacifist and usually the Guile Hero. Opposite of Gluttony.

Other virtues such as Justice or Faith are sometimes substituted for one of the others. The actual list is flexible, but the number seven is the important thing in direct contrast to the Seven Deadly Sins.

Subtrope of Virtue/Vice Codification. For the living personification of these (or other) virtues, see Embodiment of Virtue. For the evil counterpart, see Seven Deadly Sins.

Examples:

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Anime & Manga

In Fullmetal Alchemist, Alphonse Elric has all seven.
In Karakuridouji Ultimo, 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 Seven Deadly Sins).
The shonen manga series Katekyo Hitman Reborn! has the seven protagonists (battling for the right to inherit a powerful mafia family) embody the Seven Heavenly Virtues (in opposition to the antagonists, who embody the Seven Deadly Sins).

Comic Books

A Justice Society of America storyline featuring the Marvel Family introduced the Rock of Finality, Evil Counterpart to the Rock of Eternity. Within the Rock were statues of the Seven Sacred Virtues of Man, which presumably trapped the Anthropomorphic Personifications of the Virtues in the same way as their counterparts trap the Sins. Justice replaces Chastity, just as Injustice usually replaces Lust in the Seven Deadly Enemies.

Literature

In Dante's Divine Comedy, the seven virtues appear as beautiful maidens dancing around Beatrice's chariot in her triumphal procession at the end of Purgatory.
From Terry Pratchett's Discworld: In the country of Lancre, one family went and named their daughters after the Seven Heavenly Virtues, 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.
- Also from Discworld, the Library of Unseen University has statues representing the nine virtues — the seven mentioned above, plus Tubso and Bissonomy. No one knows what the last two are, since no one practices them anymore.
In Garth Nix�s Keys to the Kingdom series, the Seven Heavenly Virtues 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. And when Hope joins in, she becomes God.

Religion

The precursor to the seven heavenly virtues are the Cardinal virtues, first penned by Plato and Aristotle, and the Theological virtues, taken from the New Testament of The Bible. They are as follows:
Cardinal: Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Courage.
Theological: Faith, Hope, and Love (also called Charity).

Tabletop Games

In the New World of Darkness, all characters have both Vices and Virtues corresponding to the Seven Heavenly Virtues and Seven Deadly Sins. Virtues (such as Charity or Faith) take much more work than Vices to fulfill, but fully restore Willpower when pulled off, as compared to Vices which damage the Karma Meter (but boost the Willpower stat). In alphabetical order, the seven virtues are: Charity, Faith, Fortitude, Hope, Justice, Prudence, Temperance.

Theatre

In the musical Camelot, Mordred has a song about "The Seven Deadly Virtues", which he lists as Courage, Purity, Humility, Honesty, Diligence, Charity, and Fidelity.

Webcomics

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).

Web Originals

This web illustration shows each of the Seven Virtues depicted by a Disney Princess. In order; Giselle is Charity, Pocahontas is Chastity, Tiana is Dilligence, Mulan is Humility, Esmeralda is Kindness, Rapunzel is Patience and Belle is Temperance.