How to tell if you are balanced: Having the virtue (1). At the 'right time;' (2).with reference to the 'right objects;' (3). 'right people;' (4). In the 'right.
Explanations > Values > The Seven Virtues
When Pope Gregory defined the seven deadly sins that we should avoid, he also included a counter-balancing set of values that we should espouse and adopt. These are:
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The first three of these are known as the Spiritual Virtues, whilst the last four are called the Chief or Natural Virtues. The Natural Virtues had already been defined by Greek philosophers, whilst the Spiritual Virtues are a slight variation on St. Paul's trio of Love, Hope and Faith (due to variation in translation from the original: Charity and Love arguably have a high level of overlap).
There are also a number of other sets of virtues, including:
- The Seven Contrary Virtues which are specific opposites to the Seven Deadly Sins: Humility against pride, Kindness against envy, Abstinence against gluttony, Chastity against lust, Patience against anger, Liberality against greed, and Diligence against sloth.
- The Theological Virtues: Love, Hope and Faith, as defined by St. Paul (who placed love as the greatest of them all).
- The four Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, Temperance, Courage and Justice.
- The Seven Heavenly Virtues: Faith, Hope, Charity, Fortitude, Justice, Temperance, Prudence.
- The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy are a medieval list of things you can do to help others: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, give shelter to strangers, clothe the naked, visit the sick, minister to prisoners, and bury the dead.
- The Seven Bushido Virtues: Right decisions, Valor, Benevolence, Respect, Honesty, Honor, and Loyalty.
So what?
If you follow the virtues, you will be seen as a good person who is to be trusted. If you assume and act as if others follow the virtues, then they are more likely to do so.
You can also be seen as being bold and daring if you break the virtues. Many modern groups (most notably youth) deliberately form their own identity by going against the values of others, so be aware of the other person's real values.
See also
The Ten Commandments, The Seven Deadly Sins, Hope
http://www.newadvent.org/summa/3.htm, http://www.takase.com/MartialArts/Bushido/Bushido.htm, http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/v/virtue.htm, http://www.virtualsalt.com/think/xtrseven.htm
Jealousy is not only inbred in human nature, but
it is the most basic, all-pervasive emotion which
touches man in all aspects of every human relationship.
Boris Sokoloff
it is the most basic, all-pervasive emotion which
touches man in all aspects of every human relationship.
Boris Sokoloff
Cultures, since ancient times, have identified things to aspire to and attitudes and behaviors to try to avoid. These point to a balance between emotions and a calm and reasoning mind – in areas that may contribute to, or detract from, social and personal ideals. They try to limit things we may later regret or that others may resent.
One example, from the Catholic Church shows seven deadly sins, with corresponding (opposite) virtues:
Vice Virtue
Lust Chastity
Gluttony Temperance
Greed Charity
Sloth Diligence
Wrath Patience
Envy Kindness
Pride Humility
Lust Chastity
Gluttony Temperance
Greed Charity
Sloth Diligence
Wrath Patience
Envy Kindness
Pride Humility
Christian imagery presents the devil as a symbol of temptation toward vice. In psychology, Freud pointed to subconscious desires and to conflict among the id, ego, and superego. Genetics are now thought to be an important part of the picture, where qualities that can be undesirable in some settings may be present because, in the past, they had benefits that caused them to persist through natural selection.
Whatever the origins and imagery, naturalist perspectives are in agreement with traditional wisdom – that we often have conflicting desires and at times can appreciate guidance in ways of wrestling with passions that may cause regrets.
Links:
Book of virtues
Seven deadly sins
The Dangerous Passion: Why Jealousy Is as Necessary as Love and Sex. David Buss.
Can virtue be genetically engineered?
The genetic virtue program
Virtue and Vice, Part 1
Seven deadly sins
The Dangerous Passion: Why Jealousy Is as Necessary as Love and Sex. David Buss.
Can virtue be genetically engineered?
The genetic virtue program
Virtue and Vice, Part 1
..