http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SevenHeavenlyVirtues

From the Seven Political Virtues in Siena's Palazzo Pubblico.

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The Seven Heavenly Virtues is a classic interpretation of seven basic concepts that will lead your soul to glory. They differ somewhat from the three theological virtues (love, hope, faith) and the four cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude) combined.

In alphabetical order, here are the big seven (each of which conveniently corresponds to one of the Seven Deadly Sins), along with some trope examples demonstrating each. Note that this is just one list; there are plenty of others, as shown below.

If one is to consider the optional "eighth Deadly Sin" of Despair added by Orthodox Christianity to be canon, then logically, its corresponding Virtue will be Hope which is like Diligence in that it involves not giving up or stopping, but whereas Diligence would embody those who continue their arduous tasks despite their growing despair and doubt, Hope would embody not even having said doubt or despair in the first place. And where Diligence encompasses the avoidance of laziness and idleness, Hope would embody the resistance of more grave woes like depression, cowardice, and in some cases, suicide. An example of diligence without hope would be a combatant putting all of their hardest effort into their uphill battle against their foe despite believing in their hearts that they will ultimately lose in the end - a hardworking defeatist. On the other hand, an example of hope without diligence would be being so blindly sure of one's apparently "certain" victory that they don't even put their full effort into trying - a lazy optimist. Similarly to how its corresponding vice often gets lumped in with Sloth for being too similar, the same tends to happen with Hope and Diligence. It doesn't help that Hope as a Holy Virtue is far less popular than its sinful counterpart Despair, thanks in no part to the popularity of the Deadly Sins overshadowing that of the Heavenly Virtues.

Other virtues such as Justice or Faith are sometimes substituted for one of the others. The actual list is flexible, but the number seven is the important thing in direct contrast to the Seven Deadly Sins. Faith, particularly, serves as the opposite number to Despair (the eighth deadly sin according to Orthodox Christianity).

Subtrope of Virtue/Vice Codification. For the living personification of these (or other) virtues, see Embodiment of Virtue. For the Evil Counterpart, see Seven Deadly Sins. See also The Cardinal Virtues.

Examples:

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Anime & Manga

Comic Books

A 2009 Justice Society of America storyline featuring the Marvel Family debuted the Seven Sacred Virtues of Man, the Good Counterpart to the classic Shazam rogues the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man. They were found trapped at the Rock of Finality, the Evil Counterpart to the Rock of Eternity. However, they first appeared just as the New 52 was starting up, so they didn't get too much exploration.

Fan Works

Literature

Pinball

Golden Logres has three virtues (Bravery, Fortune, and Loyalty) represented by banks of drop targets.

Religion

The precursor to the seven heavenly virtues are the Cardinal virtues, first penned by Plato and Aristotle, and the Theological virtues, taken from the New Testament of The Bible. They are as follows: Cardinal: Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Courage. Theological: Faith, Hope, and Love (also called Charity).

Tabletop Games

In the New World of Darkness, all characters have both Vices and Virtues corresponding to the Seven Heavenly Virtues and Seven Deadly Sins. Virtues (such as Charity or Faith) take much more work than Vices to fulfil, but fully restore Willpower when pulled off, as compared to Vices which damage the Karma Meter (but boost the Willpower stat). In alphabetical order, the seven virtues are Charity, Faith, Fortitude, Hope, Justice, Prudence, Temperance.

The penultimate issue of Dragon magazine included an article called "Seven Saintly Domains", which made each of the virtues into a Dungeons & Dragons clerical domain with suitable spells. A follow-up to the article "Seven Deadly Domains", which did the same thing with the sins.

Theatre

In the musical Camelot, Mordred has a song about "The Seven Deadly Virtues", which he lists as Courage, Purity, Humility, Honesty, Diligence, Charity, and Fidelity.

Toys

BIONICLE has the Three Virtues, which are similar, but the Matoran Principles from the Mata Nui Online Game II are closer to these. They don't match up one for one, but they keep the same general theme - and the Rahkshi powers from 2003's story are revealed to be their direct opposites. The Principles that match up are Purity (an analog to Chastity), Prosperity (which is close to Temperance; its opposite is Hunger, which resembles Gluttony) and Peace (Patience, as it opposes Anger); the remaining three call to mind other Virtue/Vice Codifications from other belief systems, with Courage being from the Bushido Code and Faith and Creativity being virtues from Kwanzaa tradition.

Video Games

In Crusader Kings, the Virtues appear as personality traits, alongside the Sins (though each virtue-sin pair is mutually exclusive on a single character). While in gameplay statistics, the virtues are almost wholly positive, characters with virtues tend to dislike characters with the corresponding sins, which actually means that a highly virtuous character can become an unlikeable Moral Guardian. On the other hand, they'll usually have a good relationship with the Church, which has advantages of its own. 1. Chaste: Understandably, a malus to fertility (chance of producing additional children). Also a small boost to Learning (which reflects technological prowess). Sees a monthly increase in Piety (the "currency" for religious activities), and an opinion bonus with all members of the Christian church. Muslim characters, who are not expected to be chaste, cannot attain this trait. 2. Temperate: A moderate boost to Stewardship (which reflects skill at administration), and an opinion bonus with all chaplains and rulers of religious holdings, regardless of their faith. 3. Charitable: A large boost to Diplomacy (which reflects skill at... diplomacy), and (again) an opinion bonus with all chaplains and rulers of religious holdings, regardless of their faith. However, this character shouldn't ever go dueling, because they take a big hit to their personal combat skill. 4. Diligent: A small boost to every skill across the board. Also a small boost to the opinion of all vassals. 5. Patient: A small boost to every skill across the board except for Martial, though there are indirect boosts to personal combat skill and unit defense to offset this. 6. Kind: A moderate boost to Diplomacy but a moderate hit to Intrigue (which reflects skill at subterfuge), but a small boost to the opinion of all vassals. Also takes a hit to personal combat skill, but whoever heard of a kind duelist? 7. Humble: The most "neutral" virtue in gameplay terms. A small monthly Piety bonus, with no other net positives or negatives.

Each of the Seven Sages in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time represent one virtue. Patience: Rauru waits seven years for Link to grow up and mature into a proper hero, looking after him all the while. Charity: Saria gives Link an ocarina as a token of friendship, and is willing to sacrifice her carefree life for the sake of Hyrule. Temperance: Despite his wild demeanor, Darunia is dedicated to the protection of his people and is open to making new allies. He becomes a Sworn Brother to Link after the latter defeats King Dodongo. Chastity: Despite wanting to marry Link, Ruto chooses to suspend her vow so that she may serve as a Sage. Diligence: Impa devoted her life to protecting Princess Zelda and to defending Kakariko Village. Kindness: Nabooru is appalled by the actions of her king Ganondorf, and put a young Link's safety above hers when attacked by Twinrova. Humility: Princess Zelda gave up her royal status and life, taking on the identity of Sheik and working alongside Link to defeat Ganondorf.

The Heaven\Hell building game Afterlife (1996) goes through most of the seven in the lead for the ones that make up Heaven's reward structures. The differences are Peacefulness as a contrast to Wrath, and Contentment for Envy.

Webcomics

Sins has personifications of the seven heavenly virtues as some of the characters. In a subversion, they tend to suffer their virtues rather than embody them, and most are bitter about it (when not outright morally questionable).

Web Originals

Western Animation