Source: http://deadlysins.com/virtues.html

The Cardinal Virtues:
prudence, temperance, courage, justice

Classical Greek philosophers considered the foremost virtues to be prudence, temperance, courage, and justice. Early Christian Church theologians adopted these virtues and considered them to be equally important to all people, whether they were Christian or not.

The Theological Virtues:
love, hope, faith

St. Paul defined the three chief virtues as love, which was the essential nature of God, hope, and faith. Christian Church authorities called them the three theological virtues because they believed the virtues were not natural to man in his fallen state, but were conferred at Baptism.

The Seven Contrary Virtues:
humility, kindness, abstinence, chastity, patience, liberality, diligence

The Contrary Virtues were derived from the Psychomachia ("Battle for the Soul"), an epic poem written by Prudentius (c. 410). Practicing these virtues is alledged to protect one against temptation toward the Seven Deadly Sins: humility against pride, kindness against envy, abstinence against gluttony, chastity against lust, patience against anger, liberality against greed, and diligence against sloth.

The Seven Heavenly Virtues:
faith, hope, charity, fortitude, justice, temperance, prudence

The Heavenly Virtues combine the four Cardinal Virtues: prudence, temperance, fortitude -- or courage, and justice, with a variation of the theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. I'm still researching the origins and popular usage of this formulation.

The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy

Continuing the numerological mysticism of Seven, the Christian Church assembled a list of seven good works that was included in medieval catechisms. They are: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, give shelter to strangers, clothe the naked, visit the sick, minister to prisoners, and bury the dead.

Around 1730, while in his late 20s, American publisher and future statesman Benjamin Franklin listed thirteen virtues that he felt were important guides for living. Along with each virtue Franklin included a principle to follow that-in his opinion-would define a person of good character.
Source: http://www.school-for-champions.com/character/franklin_virtues.htm
  • Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
  • Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
  • Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
  • Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
  • Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
  • Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
  • Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
  • Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
  • Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
  • Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
  • Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
  • Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
  • Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
    • Twelve Virtues of Rationality
    scuriosity, relinquishment, lightness, evenness, argument, empiricism, simplicity, humility, perfectionism, precision, scholarship, and the void.
    Source: http://usscouts.org/usscouts/advance/boyscout/bslaw.html

    The Meaning of the Boy Scout Law

    Excerpted from page 47-54, Boy Scout Handbook, 11th Edition,
    (#33105), copyright 1998 by BSA, ISBN 0-8395-3105-2
    A Scout is Trustworthy.
    A Scout tells the truth. He is honest, and he keeps his promises. People can depend on him.
    A Scout is Loyal.
    A Scout is true to his family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and nation.
    A Scout is Helpful.
    A Scout cares about other people. He willingly volunteers to help others without expecting payment or reward.
    A Scout is Friendly.
    A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He offers his friendship to people of all races and nations, and respects them even if their beliefs and customs are different from his own.
    A Scout is Courteous.
    A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.
    A Scout is Kind.
    A Scout knows there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. Without good reason, he does not harm or kill any living thing.
    A Scout is Obedient.
    A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobeying them.
    A Scout is Cheerful.
    A Scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
    A Scout is Thrifty.
    A Scout works to pay his own way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
    A Scout is Brave.
    A Scout can face danger although he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him.
    A Scout is Clean.
    A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He chooses the company of those who live by high standards. He helps keep his home and community clean.
    A Scout is Reverent.
    A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.