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| Chapter XXXV. On fortitude. This is divided into two parts: as it concerns matters of war and matters at home. The first cannot be a virtue unless combined with justice and prudence. The other depends to a large extent upon endurance.
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Chapter XXXV.
On fortitude. This is divided into two
parts: as it concerns matters of war and matters at home.
The first cannot be a virtue unless combined with justice and
prudence. The other depends to a large extent upon endurance.
175. We have
discussed fully enough the nature and force of what is virtuous from
the standpoint of justice.261
| 261 Cic. de
Off. I. 18, § 61. | Now let us
discuss fortitude, which (being a loftier virtue than the rest) is
divided into two parts, as it concerns matters of war and matters at
home. But the thought of warlike matters seems to be foreign to
the duty of our office, for we have our thoughts fixed more on the duty
of the soul than on that of the body; nor is it our business to look to
arms, but rather to the affairs of peace. Our fathers, however,
as Joshua, the son of Nun, Jerubbaal, Samson, and David, gained great
glory also in war.
176. Fortitude, therefore, is a loftier
virtue than the rest, but it is also one that never stands alone.
For it never depends on itself alone. Moreover, fortitude without
justice is the source of wickedness.262
For the
stronger it is, the more ready is it to crush the weaker, whilst in
matters of war one ought to see whether the war is just or
unjust.
177. David never waged war unless he was
driven to it. Thus prudence was combined in him with fortitude in
the battle. For even when about to fight single-handed against
Goliath, the enormous giant, he rejected the armour with which he was
laden.263
His strength depended more on his
own arm than on the weapons of others. Then, at a distance, to
get a stronger throw, with one cast of a stone, he slew his
enemy. After that he never entered on a war without seeking
counsel of the Lord.264
Thus he was
victorious in all wars, and even to his last years was ready to
fight. And when war arose with the Philistines, he joined battle
with their fierce troops, being desirous of winning renown, whilst
careless of his own safety.265
178. But this is not the only kind of
fortitude which is worthy of note. We consider their fortitude
glorious, who, with greatness of mind, “through faith stopped the
mouth of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the
sword, out of weakness were made strong.”266
They did not gain a victory in
common with many, surrounded with comrades, and aided by the legions,
but won their triumph alone over their treacherous foes by the mere
courage of their own souls. How unconquerable was Daniel, who
feared not the lions raging round about him. The beasts roared,
whilst he was eating.267
| 267 Bel and the Dragon v. 39. | E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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