Your Future Spouse (Part 7) - Fortitude

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JMJ

 In my article on Fortitude (see link), I summarized the following points:

Just as temperance virtues remove from the will obstacles to rational good arising from sensuous pleasure, fortitude removes from the will those obstacles arising from the difficulties of doing what reason requires. In short fortitude is the virtue by which one endures dangers and difficulties, even death itself, and is never dissuaded by fear from the pursuit of good.  

Patience disposes us to bear present evils with equanimity; the patient man is one who endures present evils in such a way as not to be inordinately cast down by them.

Munificence disposes us to incur great expenses for the suitable doing of a great work. This differs from liberality, since it deals not with ordinary expenses / donations, but those that are great. The the munificent man (or woman) is one who gives with royal generosity, in accordance with right reason.

Magnanimity implies a reaching out of the soul to great things, and regulates oneself in regards to honours. A magnanimous person aims at great works in every line of virtue, making it their purpose to do things worthy of great honour. Magnanimity is compatible with true humility.

"Magnanimity", says St. Thomas, "makes a man deem himself worthy of great honours in consideration of the Divine gifts he possesses; whilst humility makes him think little of himself in consideration of his own short-comings".

Perseverance, disposes us to continue striving / working for the accomplishment of good works in spite of the difficulties that are attached to them. As a moral virtue it is not to be taken precisely for what is designated as final perseverance, that special gift of the predestined by which one is found in the state of grace at the moment of death. It is used here to designate that virtue which disposes one to continuance in any virtuous work whatsoever.

To sum up: how does the prospect rise to the challenges and tribulations of life?

Do they get discouraged easily?  Do they give generosly of their time and even material goods  (within good prudence) to help achieve a goal?  Are they striving to better themselves and their condition?  This is an important consideration as it is easier to support a single person rather than a family.

As the late John Vennari joked:

Father: Do you earn enough to support a large family?
Prospect: Yes sir, I do!
Father: That's good 'cause there's eleven of us!

P^3