Fortitudes

Fortitude is the mental and moral strength that enables a person to endure adversity, fear, danger, or disappointment with courage and perseverance. It is commonly described as the capacity to confront hardship firmly and without succumbing to despair, whether in daily setbacks or extreme circumstances.

Originating from the Latin fortitudo, fortitūdo meaning strength or firmness, the term has long featured in philosophy and ethics. In classical thought, courage is closely related to fortitude, and in Christian theology fortitude is one of the four cardinal virtues, alongside prudence, justice, and temperance. The concept emphasizes steadiness of purpose in the face of difficulty rather than rash bravado.

Fortitudes can be discussed as different forms of strength: moral fortitude (ethical firmness in the face of pressure), physical fortitude (endurance of physical strain), emotional fortitude (stability under distress), and intellectual fortitude (fidelity to inquiry and reasoning under challenge). While fortitude is typically used in the singular, the plural fortitudes appears when enumerating multiple kinds or examples of courage and persistence.

In psychology and everyday language, fortitude overlaps with resilience and grit. It is often framed as a trait or a process involving coping strategies, social support, meaning or purpose, and sustained motivation that helps individuals meet long-term goals despite obstacles.

Fortitude is a recurring theme in literature, religion, and biographical writing, where characters and real persons are described as displaying sustained courage. Critics sometimes note that fortitude, while valuable, works best in conjunction with other virtues and practical considerations.