What do you mean by "virtue"?
"Virtue" is one of the English words used to translate the Greek word arete, which is also translated as "excellence". When we use the word "virtue", we're talking about arete.
Arete implies becoming excellent in all facets of character. As stated in this wonderful explanation by the organization Arete Transitions, arete implies the "pursuit of excellence in order to fulfill one's purpose". It includes rising to one's potential and connotes bravery, effectiveness, and moral goodness. They go on to say:
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"The point in all of this is to create a life well lived. Arete is about the process of living. When one lives with Arete they tend to feel fulfilled, motivated, driven and connected. But Arete is also about the outcome. When one lives with Arete, the result is a sense of purpose, accomplishment, contentment and resolve. In this way, Arete is both an end and a means."
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Our friend Hugh Vail of Mustang Medicine describes arete as "character excellence in all things", which sums up the the definition by Arete Transitions pretty well!
The "in all things" part of his definition implies that virtue covers a lot of ground! When something is as broad as that, it can be hard to wrap one's mind around. Breaking all of arete or virtue or excellence down into 13 distinct virtues helps people wrap their mind around it and practice it.