Second Part: On the Virtues Annexed to Fortitude

S. Th. II-II, q. 128.

914. Parts of fortitude. - Fortitude:

A. Does not have subjective parts, or several species, because it is concerned with a very special and altogether determinate matter.

B. Has four integral parts, or conditions which concur for its act. For there is required:

a) for attacking: 1) with respect to the hoped-for end, magnanimity or confidence, which prepares for undergoing danger, so that, namely, someone has a prompt soul for attacking; and 2) with respect to the means, magnificence or strenuousness in the execution of the work, lest, namely, someone fail in the execution of those things which he has confidently begun;

b) for sustaining: 3) patience and longanimity in the undertaking of danger, lest by the difficulty of threatening evils the soul be broken through sadness and fall from its greatness; and 4) perseverance and constancy in execution, so that from the long suffering of difficulties man is not wearied to the point that he desists.

C. It also has the same four potential parts. For if they are restricted to the matter of fortitude and are concerned with dangers of death, they are integral parts without which fortitude cannot exist; but beyond this they are potential parts or annexed virtues if they are exercised in overcoming lesser dangers, and thus they imitate fortitude in secondary and less difficult matters, for example, magnificence concerning great expenditures, magnanimity concerning great honors.

Of these under this respect we must chiefly speak.