Question V: On the vices opposed to fortitude

Three vices opposed to fortitude are enumerated: Timidity, Fearlessness (intimiditas), and Audacity.

As to Fear, it is then inordinate when the appetite absolutely flees those things which reason dictates are to be endured. So S. Thomas.

Here is condemned that fear which is inordinate concerning the dangers of death, when on this account one abandons the faith, or those things which fortitude commands to be pursued. Of these it is said Apocal. 21. But the fearful, etc. their part shall be in the pool, etc.

Fearlessness (intimiditas) is the vice by which things to be feared are not feared. Thus of the Celts Aristotle says 3. Eth. cap. 7. They fear nothing on account of foolishness, and there he opposes this to Fortitude.

But it exceeds and inclines to the extreme. Of these Prov. 14. The wise man feareth, and declineth from evil: the fool leapeth over, and confideth.

Audacity is an excess in undergoing and invading dangers, as D. Thomas says quaest. 127. art. 1., according to Aristotle 2. Ethic. capite 7. et lib. 3. cap. 7.

It differs from fearlessness; for this does not estimate the dangers, as if in respect of the one acting there were none, or they were not evils; but Audacity, or rashness, attacks dangers rashly on account of excessive overconfidence.

It is said to have the vice in the opposite extreme, namely, Cowardice (ignavia), as is gathered from Aristotle loc. cit., namely, when one does not dare what he ought, and when he ought.

Commonly, however, these sins are not judged distinct from the sins which follow from them, or to which they are ordered.