Archbishop Leo Cushley delivered BBC Radio Scotland's Thought for the Day, Thursday 7 February, where proposed the four cardinal or natural virtues - Justice, Prudence, Courage, and Temperance - as a guide to good living.

"They were identified and developed in ancient Greece and Rome, became a natural basis for the virtues found in Christianity, but are also to be found reflected in other cultures and religions including Confucianism in China and Bushido in Japan. That’s why they are often known as the “natural virtues”.  They are – or can be – common to all people," he said to the listeners of Good Morning Scotland.

"Is the acquisition of virtue easy? No. Is the pursuit of it worth it?  Yes. Why? Because good choices turn into virtues, and virtues turn into good lives." For more information on the virtues click here. Meanwhile, the Archbishop's full script is reproduced below:

Archbishop Leo Cushley, BBC Radio Scotland, Thought for the Day, 7 February 2019

Good morning Hayley,

Okay, fingers on the buzzers, here’s your starter for ten: Can the secret of a happy life really be summed up in 280 characters? Yoko Ono certainly assumed as such when she recently Tweeted a heartfelt request for, quote, “some advice that will make our lives heal and shine”.

Well, as she should have known: if you ask the British a serious question, prepare for a shower of sardonic answers. Hence, among the top three most-liked responses you find these bon mots of advice:

One: If you’re a passenger of Prince Philip, always wear a seat-belt. Two: If you wait until ten minutes before Tesco closes, you can buy an entire birthday cake for 50p. And three. Don’t split up The Beatles. Ouch.

So, if only out of politeness – and in pursuit of a half-decent Thought for the Day – allow me now to take Yoko at her word. I’d offer her two words of advice: Pursue virtue!

What is virtue? Well, a virtue can be defined as a firm and habitual disposition to do good. How to we acquire virtue? By doing a particular good action so often that it become second nature. And what to include in our list of desirable good actions? I don’t think you can go far wrong with the four virtues of classical antiquity: Justice, Prudence, Courage, and Temperance or, if you like, Moderation.

They were identified and developed in ancient Greece and Rome, became a natural basis for the virtues found in Christianity, but are also to be found reflected in other cultures and religions including Confucianism in China and Bushido in Japan. That’s why they are often known as the “natural virtues”.  They are – or can be – common to all people.

Is the acquisition of virtue easy? No. Is the pursuit of it worth it?  Yes. Why?

Because good choices turn into virtues, and virtues turn into good lives.