St Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, Philosopher, c. 354 – 430

“Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.” 

De Moribus Eccl. 1, 25, 46:PL, 32, 1330-1331

The earliest known portrait of Saint Augustine
in a 6th-century fresco, Lateran, Rome.

To live well is nothing other than to love God with all one's heart, with all one's soul and with all one's efforts; from this it comes about that love is kept whole an uncorrupted (through temperance). No misfortune can disturb it (and this is fortitude). It obeys only [God] (and this is justice), and it is careful in discerning things, so as not to be surprised by deceit or trickery (and this is prudence). 

St. John the Dwarf, Egyptian Desert Father, c.339 - 405 A.D.

Humility and the fear of God are above all virtues.

   (Image of  St. John the Dwarf by Michael Goltz)

St.Pope Leo I (the Great), Doctor of the Church, c. 400 – 10 November 461 A.D.

Saint Leo Magnus by 
Francisco Herrera the Younger, 
in the Prado Museum, Madrid.

Virtue is nothing without the trial of temptation, for there is no conflict without an enemy, no victory without strife.