St Peter of Damaskos | There are four forms of wisdom

There are four forms of wisdom:

- first, moral judgment, or the knowledge of what should and should not be done, combined with watchfulness of the intellect;

- second, self-restraint, whereby our moral purpose is safeguarded and kept free from all acts, thoughts and words that do not accord with God;

- third, courage, or strength and endurance in sufferings, trials and temptations encountered on the spiritual path; and

- fourth, justice, which consists in maintaining a proper balance between the first three.

These four general virtues arise from the three powers of the soul in the following manner: 

- from the intelligence, or intellect, come moral judgment and justice, or discrimination; 
- from the desiring power comes self-restraint; and 
- from the incensive power comes courage.

St Peter of Damaskos