[* St. Thomas calls this vice indifferently'fear'or'timidity.'The translation requires one to adhere to these terms on account of the connection with the passion of fear. Otherwise'cowardice'would be a better rendering.]
We must now consider the vices opposed to fortitude: (1) Fear; (2) Fearlessness; (3) Daring.
Under the first head there are four points of inquiry:
A1 Whether fear is a sin?
A2 Whether it is opposed to fortitude?
A3 Whether it is a mortal sin?
A4 Whether it excuses from sin, or diminishes it?
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