In Freemasonry, the cardinal virtue of Fortitude is defined as the noble and steady purpose of the mind whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril or danger, when prudentially deemed expedient. The word is borrowed from Old French, from Latin fortitūdō (“bravery, strength”), from fortis (“brave, strong”). In the traditional sense, Fortitude embodies the quality of character which gives a person strength to withstand temptation and to bear their suffering in silence when all other remedies fail.

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