What is your favorite virtue?

[Gori the Grey]

What is your favorite virtue?

Inspired by the "Is this sexist?" thread.

I have already indicated that I am perhaps unduly fond of punctuality. Not one of the biggies, I know, but one has no control over one's attractions.

 

[Terxpahseyton]

A man who knows how to handle a woman.

More seriously: I can for the life of me not decide weather it is humility or compassion, though I think they are related.

 

[AlpsStranger]

If I have to pick just one I guess I'll go with fortitude.

EDIT: And that's not some kind of posturing. I actually wish I had more fortitude

 

[Gori the Grey]

You have to pick just one. Justin Trudeau says so.

 

[Antilogic]

Why is chastity not a sexist virtue I can pick!?

Sexist-event inspired poll isn't sexist enough.

 

[warpus]

I dont know.. how about humility?

Or the one where you're constantly questioning your beliefs and altering them based on newly found data? What's that called again? Rationality? Is that a virtue?

 

[AlpsStranger]

Why is chastity not a sexist virtue I can pick!?

Sexist-event inspired poll isn't sexist enough.

Temperance covers chastity.

 

[Terxpahseyton]

Or the one where you're constantly questioning your beliefs and altering them based on newly found data? What's that called again? Rationality? Is that a virtue?

I think traditionally virtues are directly related to the human condition, saying they need to be about something felt, not something one does due to what one feels. So perhaps the question is what virtue makes one be rational?
Though maybe I am wrong. Is prudence felt?

 

[metatron]

Prudance is the highest of all virtues.

Temperance is the coward's prudance, akin to hiding under the blanket to make the mosters go away.

As far as Fortitude, Justice, Faith, Hope and Charity go: Without Prudence it's all junk.
Weinberg can tell you why.

And, yes, i have just implied Prudance to be the antithesis of most religion.

 

[Terxpahseyton]

Can you not be prudent and a giant arsehole?
I am not convinced.

 

[Borachio]

Prudence is a rich ugly old maid, courted by incapacity.

~ William Blake

Compassion is virtue numéro uno.

Which is incidentally the same as charity, but probably not recognizably so.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

*yawn*

Old hat.

Next?

 

[metatron]

Prudence is a rich ugly old maid, courted by incapacity.

~ William Blake

He must have meant Temperance. To err is human.

Can you not be prudent and a giant arsehole?
I am not convinced.

Sure you can.
But if you are prudent you have to consciously decide to be one.

You can bring about the world's end in an outrageously cruel fashion in the name of Fortitude, Justice, Faith, Hope or Charity and be blissfully oblivious about that very act.

 

[Borachio]

Have you ever seen this done?

How can a compassionate person destroy the world?

I think you're cherry picking your definitions of virtues here. I imagine you have a rigorous definition of prudence to exclude the cases where a prudent person inadvertently destroys the world. And yet a compassionate person could do so?

 

[JollyRoger]

The poll looks like a list of strippers.

 

[AlpsStranger]

The poll looks like a list of strippers.

And JR does it again.

By the way, I'll give my reasoning for picking fortitude: Without fortitude it's easier to be forced to abandon the other virtues.

 

[metatron]

And yet a compassionate person could do so?

Yes.

I think you're cherry picking your definitions of virtues here. I imagine you have a rigorous definition of prudence to exclude the cases where a prudent person inadvertently destroys the world.

You'd have to strike "inadvertently".

That's the point.

And i don't have to be picky about the definition for that.

Prudence (Lat. prudentia, contracted from providentia, seeing ahead) is the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason.

 

[Borachio]

I can do that.

Compassion is often regarded as having an emotional aspect to it, though when based on cerebral notions such as fairness, justice and interdependence, it may be considered rational in nature and its application understood as an activity based on sound judgment. There is also an aspect of compassion which regards a quantitative dimension, such that individual's compassion is often given a property of "depth," "vigour," or "passion." The etymology of "compassion" is Latin, meaning "co-suffering." More involved than simple empathy, compassion commonly gives rise to an active desire to alleviate another's suffering.

 

[metatron]

I can do that.

Compassion is often regarded as having an emotional aspect to it, though when based on cerebral notions such as fairness, justice and interdependence, it may be considered rational in nature and its application understood as an activity based on sound judgment. There is also an aspect of compassion which regards a quantitative dimension, such that individual's compassion is often given a property of "depth," "vigour," or "passion." The etymology of "compassion" is Latin, meaning "co-suffering." More involved than simple empathy, compassion commonly gives rise to an active desire to alleviate another's suffering.

emphasis mine

 

[Borachio]

Just so. I rest my case. Clearly superior to prudence in every way.

 

[The_J]

Lust.
...
Oh, wait, wrong set.
...er...prudence then, I guess.