Everyone has heard of virtues and most of us have some

understanding of what virtues are. It’s easy to see the value

in improving how we live in virtue, the problem is it can be
hard to know where to start.
The easiest way to get started is to pick one virtue that you
want to improve on and set a goal to improve your behavior
in that virtue over a period of time. Our Living with
Character series offers videos, personality assessments and
workbooks to help you get started in 15 different virtues,
however there are many more virtues to choose from! Below
is a more complete list of the 40 virtues, and many
philosophers have added even more to the list.
Remember virtues are good habits developed out of love for
others. When you begin growing in one virtue, you'll end up
growing in many of them simultaneously!
1.Orderliness: achieving our goals by doing the things we
should do, when we should do them, and how we should
do them. This is also involved with keeping oneself
physically clean and neat and one’s belongings in good
order.
2.Generosity: the attitude and habits we demonstrate
when we give towards the needs of others in a willing
and cheerful manner.
3.Fortitude: the courage to stand up for what is right, even
in the face of pressure.
4.Prudence: the virtue that allows us to determine what’s
right and what’s wrong and then act accordingly.
Prudence could also be called wisdom.
5.Justice: giving to others what they are rightly due.
6.Temperance: controlling our desires and wants in order
to achieve a greater good and meet our life goals.
Temperance could also be called self-control.
7.Assertiveness: achieving goals by setting appropriate
boundaries, asking for help when we need it, and being
confident and positive about our abilities.
8.Purposefulness: having a vision, clear focus, and
concentration on goals.
9.Modesty: purity of heart in action, especially in regards
to dress and speech.
10. Peacefulness: having a sense of inner calm, no
matter what is happening around you.
11. Service: being helpful to the entire family of man.
This can also be called beneficence, which means
helping the greater community for the common good.
12. Clemency: handling disobedience, poor choices, and
disputes in a reasonable and consistent manner by not
being too strict, but not being too lax either.
13. Helpfulness: being of service to others; doing
thoughtful things that make a difference in their lives.
14. Kindness: expressing genuine concern about the
well-being of others; anticipating their needs.
15. Good Counsel: seeking advice from a reasonable
person.
16. Responsibility: fulfilling one’s just duties; accepting
the consequences of one’s words and actions, intentional
and unintentional.
17. Honesty: sincerity, openness, and truthfulness in
one’s works and actions.
18. Respect: recognizing the worth and dignity of every
single human person.
19. Tolerance: allowing other people to have their
opinions about non-essential things and accepting the
preferences and ideas that are different from your
without compromising your own beliefs.
20. Perseverance: taking the steps necessary to carry
out objectives in spite of difficulties.
21. Good judgment: thinking rightly about a decision,
sound decision.
22. Gratitude: having a thankful disposition of mind
and heart.
23. Humility: having an awareness that all one’s gifts
come from God and appreciation for the gifts of others.
24. Obedience: assenting to rightful authority without
hesitation or resistance.
25. Patience: remaining calm and not becoming
annoyed when dealing with problems or difficult people.
This could also mean paying attention to something for a
long time without becoming bored or losing interest.
26. Command: directly acting upon a sound decision.
27. Truthfulness: acting in a way that inspires
confidences and trust; being reliable.
28. Moderation: attention to balance in one’s life.
29. Loyalty: accepting the bond implicit in relationships
and defending the virtues upheld by Church, family, and
country.
30. Courtesy: treating other people with respect,
recognizing that all are made in God's image and
likeness.
31. Affability: being easy to approach and easy to talk
to; friendly.
32. Sincerity: trustfulness in words and actions; honesty
and enthusiasm toward others.
33. Prayerfulness: being still, listening, and being
willing to talk to God as a friend.
34. Magnanimity: seeking with confidence to do great
things in God; literally “having a large soul.”
35. Docility: willingness to be taught.
36. Industriousness: diligence, especially in work that
leads to natural and supernatural maturity.
37. Foresight: consideration of the consequences of
one's action; thinking ahead.
38. Patriotism: paying due honor and respect to one's
country, with a willingness to serve.
39. Meekness: having a serenity of spirit while focusing
on the needs of others.
40. Circumspection/Tact: careful consideration of
circumstances and consequences.