Skip to content
← Glossary
Four Cardinal Virtues (Tetrad)

Four Cardinal Virtues (Tetrad)

The four foundational virtues of Stoicism: Phronesis (practical wisdom), Dikaiosyne (justice), Andreia (courage), and Sophrosyne (temperance).

The tetrad of cardinal virtues forms the backbone of Stoic ethics. Phronesis enables correct judgment; Dikaiosyne regulates conduct toward the cosmic community; Andreia strengthens steadfast pursuit of virtue in the face of hardship; Sophrosyne curbs excessive impulses and preserves inner equilibrium. Each virtue implies all the others — together they form an interdependent system, not a set of separate competencies.