[* 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?