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A tree of virtues (''arbor virtutum'') is a diagram used in medieval Christian tradition to display the relationships between
fol. 4v
and a tree of vices o
fol. 5r
as part of a collection of diagrams on a variety of topics. In this example, the trees are also further subdivided into a ternary structure, as follows: *''
/ref>
*A. Watson, "The ''Speculum Virginum'' with Special Reference to the Tree of Jesse", ''Speculum'' 3.4, October 1928, 445-469.
15th-century painted mural 'Tree of vices'
as the seven-headed dragon of the ''Apocalypse of St. John'' (Rev. 12) at Anglican parish church of St Ethelbert’s, Hessett, Suffolk, England Medieval culture Christian ethics Virtue
A tree of virtues (''arbor virtutum'') is a diagram used in medieval Christian tradition to display the relationships between virtue
A virtue () is a trait of excellence, including traits that may be morality, moral, social, or intellectual. The cultivation and refinement of virtue is held to be the "good of humanity" and thus is Value (ethics), valued as an Telos, end purpos ...
s, usually juxtaposed with a tree of vices (''arbor vitiorum'') where the vice
A vice is a practice, behaviour, Habit (psychology), habit or item generally considered morally wrong in the associated society. In more minor usage, vice can refer to a fault, a negative character trait, a defect, an infirmity, or a bad or unhe ...
s are treated in a parallel fashion.
Together with genealogical trees,
these diagrams qualify as among the earliest explicit tree-diagrams in history, emerging in the High Middle Ages
The High Middle Ages, or High Medieval Period, was the periodization, period of European history between and ; it was preceded by the Early Middle Ages and followed by the Late Middle Ages, which ended according to historiographical convention ...
.
At first appearing as illustrations in certain theological tracts, the concept becomes more popular in the Late Middle Ages
The late Middle Ages or late medieval period was the Periodization, period of History of Europe, European history lasting from 1300 to 1500 AD. The late Middle Ages followed the High Middle Ages and preceded the onset of the early modern period ( ...
and is also seen in courtly manuscripts such as the psalter of Robert de Lisle (c. 1310-1340).
The nodes of the tree-diagrams are the Cardinal Virtues
The cardinal virtues are four virtues of mind and character in classical philosophy. They are prudence, Justice (virtue), justice, Courage, fortitude, and Temperance (virtue), temperance. They form a Virtue ethics, virtue theory of ethics. The t ...
and the Cardinal Vices, respectively, often culminating with the Theological Virtues
Theological virtues are virtues associated in Christian theology and philosophy with salvation resulting from the grace of God. Virtues are traits or qualities which dispose one to conduct oneself in a morally good manner. Traditionally the theolo ...
and Vices, each with a number of secondary virtues or secondary vices shown as leaves of the respective nodes.
While on a tree of virtues, the leaves point upward toward heaven, on a tree of vices the leaves point downward toward hell.
At the root of the trees, the virtues of ''humilitas'' "humility" and the vice of ''superbia'' "pride" is shown as the origin of all other virtues and vices, respectively.
By this time, the concept of showing hierarchical concepts of medieval philosophy in diagrams also becomes more widespread. E.g. ms. Arsenal
An arsenal is a place where arms and ammunition are made, maintained and repaired, stored, or issued, in any combination, whether privately or publicly owned. Arsenal and armoury (British English) or armory (American English) are mostly ...
1037 (14th century) has a tree of virtue ofol. 4v
and a tree of vices o
fol. 5r
as part of a collection of diagrams on a variety of topics. In this example, the trees are also further subdivided into a ternary structure, as follows: *''
humilitas
Humility is the quality of being humble. The Oxford Dictionary, in its 1998 edition, describes humility as a low self-regard and sense of unworthiness. However, humility involves having an accurate opinion of oneself and expressing oneself mode ...
radix virtutum''
**I. '' prudentia'' (seven sub-virtues)
**II. '' fortitudo'' (seven sub-virtues)
**''semita vitalis''
***III. ''iustitia
Lady Justice () is an Allegory, allegorical personification of the moral force in judicial systems. Her attributes are Weighing scale, scales, a sword and sometimes a blindfold. She often appears as a pair with Prudentia.
Lady Justice originat ...
'' (seven sub-virtues)
***IIII. '' temperantia'' (seven sub-virtues)
***''fructus spiritus''
****V. '' fides'' (seven sub-virtues)
****VI. '' spes'' (seven sub-virtues)
****VII. '' caritas'' (seven sub-virtues)
*'' superbia radix vitiorum''
**I. '' avaritia'' (seven sub-vices)
**II. ''invidia
In Latin, ''invidia'' is the sense of envy, a "looking upon" associated with the evil eye, from ''invidere'', "to look against, to look in a hostile manner." ''Invidia'' ("Envy") is one of the Seven Deadly Sins in Christian belief.
''Invidia'' ...
'' (seven sub-vices)
**''semita mortis''
***III. '' inanis gloria'' (seven sub-vices)
***IIII. '' ira'' (seven sub-vices)
***''fructus carnis''
****V. '' gula'' (seven sub-vices)
****VI. '' acedia'' (seven sub-vices)
****VII. '' luxuria'' (seven sub-vices)
In the Italian Renaissance
The Italian Renaissance ( ) was a period in History of Italy, Italian history between the 14th and 16th centuries. The period is known for the initial development of the broader Renaissance culture that spread across Western Europe and marked t ...
, Pietro Bembo
Pietro Bembo, (; 20 May 1470 – 18 January 1547) was a Venetian scholar, poet, and literary theory, literary theorist who also was a member of the Knights Hospitaller and a cardinal of the Catholic Church. As an intellectual of the Italian Re ...
developed a similar flow-chart-like "moral schema" of sins punished in Dante
Dante Alighieri (; most likely baptized Durante di Alighiero degli Alighieri; – September 14, 1321), widely known mononymously as Dante, was an Italian Italian poetry, poet, writer, and philosopher. His ''Divine Comedy'', originally called ...
's ''Inferno'' and ''Purgatory''.
in an early edition of Dante printed by Andrea Torresani (1451-1529), Venice 15/ref>
See also
*Seven Virtues
In Christian history, the seven heavenly virtues combine the four cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude with the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity.
The seven capital virtues, also known as seven l ...
* Seven Cardinal Sins
*Works of Mercy
Works of mercy (sometimes known as acts of mercy) are practices considered meritorious in Christian ethics.
The practice is popular in the Catholic Church as an act of both penance and charity. In addition, the Methodist church teaches that th ...
*Tree of Jesse
The Tree of Jesse is a depiction in art of the ancestors of Jesus Christ, shown in a branching tree which rises from Jesse (biblical figure), Jesse of Bethlehem, the father of King David. It is the original use of the family tree as a schemati ...
References
* Serenus de Cressy, ''Arbor virtutum or, An exact modell in the which are represented all manner of vertues and graces'' *Michael W. Evans, "§3.5 Arbor virtutum" in ''The Geometry of the Mind'' (198*A. Watson, "The ''Speculum Virginum'' with Special Reference to the Tree of Jesse", ''Speculum'' 3.4, October 1928, 445-469.
External links
* {{cite web , url=http://beinecke.library.yale.edu/speculum/3v-4r-virtues-and-vices.html , title=The Tree of Virtues & The Tree of Vices , author= Matt Aleksinas , publisher=Yale University , year=2006 , accessdate=2008-06-0315th-century painted mural 'Tree of vices'
as the seven-headed dragon of the ''Apocalypse of St. John'' (Rev. 12) at Anglican parish church of St Ethelbert’s, Hessett, Suffolk, England Medieval culture Christian ethics Virtue