virtute

Virtute is the ablative singular form of the Latin noun virtus, which broadly means virtue, courage, and character. In classical and later Latin, virtus signified personal excellence in public life as well as moral virtue. The term can appear in phrases such as by virtue of or in virtute, expressing means or agency, and it underpins discussions of bravery, public spirit, and ethical quality in Latin literature.

Meaning and scope: Virtus denotes both courageous manliness (in battle) and moral virtue; in philosophy and rhetoric the concept encompasses excellence of a person’s mind and actions. Ancient writers such as Cicero used virtus to translate the Greek areté, aligning courage, usefulness, and virtuous conduct. In Christian Latin, the notion persisted as part of moral character, later shaping discussions of virtue ethics and the formulation of virtues in moral theology and political thought.

Grammar and usage: Virtus is a feminine noun of the third declension. Singular forms are virtus (nom.), virtutis (gen.), virtuti (dat.), virtutem (acc.), virtute (abl.). The plural is virtutes (nom./acc.), virtutum (gen.), virtutibus (dat./abl.). The ablative virtute is common in idiomatic expressions and mottoes, often conveying means, manner, or ethical quality.

Legacy and influence: The English word virtue derives from Latin virtus, and the concept remains central in moral philosophy, religious ethics, and political rhetoric. Latin phrases such as virtute et armis (by valor and arms) and references to virtutes cardinales (cardinal virtues) reflect the enduring role of virtus in Western intellectual and cultural traditions.