Editors' note: Closely related to courage, fortitude contains qualities of strength in adversity: acceptance, endurance and tenacity. In some Christian traditions there are four cardinal virtues and fortitude is one. In discussing these virtues St Augustine described fortitude as love, readily bearing all things for the sake of the Beloved. The object of trying to perfect yourself is to be of greater service to God. It is not for yourself, it is for God, that is the all and everything.