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You are here: Index  Character Improvement 
The Virtues: Various Traditions
Benjamin FranklinDuring the early 1700s and while in his late 20s, Benjamin Franklin gathered thirteen virtues that he felt were a guide to live by. These virtues consisted of temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility."My list of virtues contain'd at first but twelve; but a Quaker friend having kindly informed me that I was generally thought proud; that my pride show'd itself frequently in conversation; that I was not content with being in the right when discussing any point, but was overbearing, and rather insolent, of which he convinc'd me by mentioning several instances; I determined endeavouring to cure myself, if I could, of this vice or folly among the rest, and I added Humility to my list).
In reality, there is,
perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise
it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases,
it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you
will see it, perhaps, often in this history; for, even if I could conceive that
I had compleatly overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility." VirtuesFranklin's 13 virtues are as follows:
Franklin's applicationBen Franklin tried to lead his life, following these virtues. He placed each one of the virtues on a separate page in a small book that he kept with him for most of his life. He would evaluate his performance with regard to each of them on a daily basis. He would also select one of the virtues to focus on for a full week. Franklin often emphasized these virtues in his Poor Richard's Almanack. Later, In a letter to his son William, he gave the list of virtues, recommending that William follow them too. The Nine Noble Virtues of ÁsatrúCourage Truth Honor Loyalty Hospitality Discipline Industriousness Self-Reliance Perseverance The material above on this page is Copyright © 1999 by Rorik Gunn Gormsson. However, permission is hereby given to copy it provided that it is not altered in any way and that this Copyright Notice is included with every copy. (All quotations taken from The Elder Edda, "The Hávamál" and "The Lay of Sigrdrifa", trans. W.H. Auden and P. B. Taylor.) The Roman VirtuesPersonal VirtuesThese are the qualities of life to which every Citizen (and, ideally, everyone else) should aspire. They are the heart of the Via Romana — the Roman Way — and are thought to be those qualities which gave the Roman Republic the moral strength to conquer and civilize the world. Today, they are the rods against which we can measure our own behavior and character, and we can strive to better understand and practice them in our everyday lives. Auctoritas: "Spiritual Authority" The sense of one's social standing, built up through experience, Pietas, and Industria. Comitas: "Humor" Ease of manner, courtesy, openness, and friendliness. Clementia: "Mercy" Mildness and gentleness. Dignitas: "Dignity" A sense of self-worth, personal pride. Firmitas: "Tenacity" Strength of mind, the ability to stick to one's purpose. Frugalitas: "Frugalness" Economy and simplicity of style, without being miserly. Gravitas: "Gravity" A sense of the importance of the matter at hand, responsibility and earnestness. Honestas: "Respectibility" The image that one presents as a respectable member of society. Humanitas: "Humanity" Refinement, civilization, learning, and being cultured. Industria: "Industriousness" Hard work. Pietas: "Dutifulness" More than religious piety; a respect for the natural order socially, politically, and religiously. Includes the ideas of patriotism and devotion to others. Prudentia: "Prudence" Foresight, wisdom, and personal discretion. Salubritas: "Wholesomeness" Health and cleanliness. Severitas: "Sternness" Gravity, self-control. Veritas: "Truthfulness" Honesty in dealing with others. Public VirtuesIn addition to the private virtues which were aspired to by individuals, Roman culture also strived to uphold Virtues which were shared by all of society in common. Note that some of the virtues to which individuals were expected to aspire are also public virtues to be sought by society as a whole. These virtues were often expressed by minting them on coinage; in this way, their message would be shared by all the Classical world. In many cases, these Virtues were personified as deities.Abundantia: "Abundance, Plenty" The ideal of there being enough food and prosperity for all segments of society. Aequitas: "Equity" Fair dealing both within government and among the people. Bonus Eventus: "Good fortune" Rememberance of important positive events. Clementia: "Clemency" Mercy, shown to other nations. Concordia: "Concord" Harmony among the Roman people, and also between Rome and other nations. Felicitas: "Happiness, prosperity" A celebration of the best aspects of Roman society. Fides: "Confidence" Good faith in all commercial and governmental dealings. Fortuna: "Fortune" An acknowledgement of positive events. Genius: "Spirit of Rome" Acknowledgement of the combined spirit of Rome, and its people. Hilaritas: "Mirth, rejoicing" An expression of happy times. Iustitia: "Justice" As expressed by sensible laws and governance. Laetitia: "Joy, Gladness" The celebration of thanksgiving, often of the resolution of crisis. Liberalitas: "Liberality" Generous giving. Libertas: "Freedom" AVirtue which has been subsequently aspired to by all cultures. Nobilitas: "Noblility" Noble action within the public sphere. Ops: "Wealth" Acknowledgement of the prosperity of the Roman world. Patientia: "Endurance, Patience" The ability to weather storms and crisis. Pax: "Peace" A celebration of peace among society and between nations. Pietas: "Piety, Dutifulness" People paying honor to the gods. Providentia: "Providence, Fortethought" The ability of Roman society to survive trials and manifest a greater destiny. Pudicita: "Modesty, Chastity." A public expression which belies the accusation of "moral corruptness" in ancient Rome. Salus: "Safety" Concern for public health and wellfare. Securitas: "Confidence, Security" Brought by peace and efficient governance. Spes: "Hope" Especially during times of difficulty. Uberitas: "Fertility" Particularly concerning agriculture.
Virtus: "Courage" Especially of leaders within society and government.
Jainism and the Qualities of GivingA Jain list of celebrated qualities in the giver says that the giver should:* lack ill-will toward the recipient, * lack sorrow at [parting with] the gift, * lack contempt (or condescension) [for the recipient], * be joyful in wanting to give, while giving and after having given, * have good intentions, disregard worldly reward, lack deception, and lack motive. * Another list of virtues formulated by the Jains was a standard list of seven qualities of a giver: Esteem, Devotion, Contentment, Zeal, Discrimination, Disinterestedness, and Forbearance or Patience (Williams 1963, 153). The BibleIn Galatians chapter 6. there is a list of virtues called The fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Other translations use other words, like kindness, self-control and faithfulness.You are here: Index Character Improvement
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