Question Three: On the Vices Opposed to Fortitude

S. Th. II-II, q. 125-127.

911. The virtue of fortitude is in the mean. - Fortitude effects that man hold the mean between two extremes, into which one who is exposed to the greatest dangers is prone to fall, namely, between immense fear by which we are excited to flight from evil, and excessive daring by which we are stimulated to face dangers rashly. These two extremes, says Lessius, by alternating movements beat against the soul lacking true fortitude and, as it were, conflict with each other.

Hence to fortitude there is opposed by defect timidity, and by excess fearlessness and daring rashness.

912. The vice opposed by defect. - To fortitude by defect and primarily there is opposed timidity. By this name is not signified the passion of fear (which is indifferent to good and evil), but inordinate fear of temporal evils and especially of dangers of death: it consists, namely, in fearing what, when, where, how one ought not, or more than one ought.

In any sin there is inordinate fear, for example, of losing money, pleasure, esteem, etc.; but the chief fear is of dangers of death, and such fear is opposed to fortitude.

Inordinate fear is excess in fearing and defect in daring. From the first head it is called timidity, from the other sloth or cowardice, but on account of affinity both are called by the common word timidity. Of itself it is a venial sin; but mortal if it is the cause of grave transgression. For fear diminishes the voluntary to some extent, but does not take it away.

913. Vices opposed by excess. - To fortitude by excess and secondarily two vices are opposed:

1. Fearlessness is the vice which does not fear dangers of life when they are to be feared: it is in not fearing what, when, where, how one ought, or as much as one ought, or a defect in fearing. This vice arises from contempt of life, which man makes little of, or from pride by attributing too much strength to himself, or from stupidity of soul.

2. Daring or rashness, as it is taken here, is excess in attacking dangers: it consists in daring or attacking what, when, where one ought not, or more than one ought; hence it is excess in daring. It arises from the same causes as fearlessness, with which it is intimately connected, but chiefly from vain boasting.

They are sins insofar as they cause other sins, or insofar as they act against man's charity toward himself. In a duel the vices of rashness and fearlessness are customarily involved, while someone exposes himself to danger of life or mutilation.