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The Cardinal Virtues
These are what are termed the four Cardinal Virtues : Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice. Derived initially from Plato's Protagoras 330b, and found in Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica II(I).61), the term "cardinal" comes from the Latin cardo or hinge; they are hinges upon which the door of the moral life swings. The Christian Graces are Faith, Hope and Charity. The Masonic Virtues are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

Reproduced from the frontispiece to An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences, Vol. II, by Albert G. Mackey. The Masonic History Company, New York: 1917. [5 cm x 14 cm.]. Artist uncredited. For the 1924 edition new plates were designed with minor modifications including changing Prudence to a blonde.

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