Choose a topic from Part 2B:
1. Foolhardiness consists in action that is overbold,unreasonably daring. It is in conflict with reason, and hence is anevil or sin.
1. The parts of a virtue are its subsidiary orassociated virtues; that is, virtues aligned with it, but notcoextensive with it. The parts of fortitude are listed by Cicero(De Inv. Rhet. iii) as: (a) magnificence, or loftyundertaking, with noble purpose of mind; (b) confidence,orfirm hope in the undertaking; (c) patience, or prolongedendurance for virtue's sake; (d) perseverance, or fixedpersistence in a well-considered purpose.
2. Foolhardiness sins against the virtue of fortitude byexcess. It is not a reasonable, and even heroic, enduring ofdanger, but a foolish and unreasonable rushing into dangers thatneed not be encountered. Fortitude regulates fears and impulses inthe face of danger; foolhardiness is ill-regulated and wildlyimpulsive. Hence foolhardiness conflicts with fortitude.
128. THE PARTS OF FORTITUDE
"Spiritual persons ought to be equally ready to experience sweetness and consolation in the things of God, or to suffer and keep their ground in drynesses of spirit and devotion, and for as long as God pleases, without their making any complaint about it."
St Philip Neri
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"Though the path is plain and smooth for people of good will, those who walk it will not travel far, and will do so only with difficulty if they do not have good feet, courage, and tenacity of spirit.
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St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church
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"The Lord has always revealed to mortals the treasures of his wisdom and his spirit, but now that the face of evil bares itself more and more, so does the Lord bare his treasures more."
St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church
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