What Is Generosity? It is greed that impoverishes us, not generosity. True generosity, indeed, enriches us a hundredfold. It belongs to the nature of giving that a gift be given to another. Strictly speaking, one cannot give a gift to himself. The highest gift we can give to another is...
Forbearance Forbearance is patient endurance under provocation and in the face of persistent difficulties. But it is also the capacity to suffer outrageous fortune with little or no complaint. Shortly after the third birthday of her firstborn, Mabel and her two boys left South Africa for England. Her husband, who...
Flexibility Flexibility is a personality trait that describes the extent to which a person can cope with changes in circumstances and think about problems and tasks in novel, creative ways. This trait is used when stressors or unexpected events occur, requiring a person to change their stance, outlook, or commitment. Flexible personality should not be...
Faithfulness Faithfulness is the concept of unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something, and putting that loyalty into consistent practice regardless of extenuating circumstances. It may be exhibited by a husband or wife who does not engage in sexual relationships outside of the marriage. It can also mean keeping one’s promises no matter the prevailing circumstances, such as certain...
What Is Creativity? Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something new and valuable is formed. The created item may be intangible (such as an idea, a scientific theory, a musical composition, or a joke) or a physical object (such as an invention, a printed literary work, or a painting). Scholarly interest in creativity is found in a number of...
The Virtue Of Courage “The Virtue of Courage” without humility is self-serving, reckless, and dangerous. Another problem with courage is that people believe that it is unusual. “Thou shall not be judgmental” is one of the cardinal canons of political correctness. Political correctness, of course, has little regard for the...
Ablution Ablution is a term referring to washing, and can mean ordinary washing, hand washing, or washing of the body. By extension, ablutions can refer to a collection of regular activities taken to produce physical cleanliness, including washing but also tasks like oral hygiene, and shaving. It is most often...
Ambition Ambition is readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity. Ambition is something that one hopes or intends to accomplish. Ambition is eager desire for personal advancement. The undue craving for honour. Anciently in Rome the candidates for office were accustomed to go about (ambire) soliciting votes. This striving for popular favour...
What Is Acceptance? Acceptance, in canon law, the act by which one receives a thing with approbation or satisfaction. The collation of a benefice is not complete till it has been accepted by him on whom it has been conferred. Acceptance is the link between the benefice and the benefited. It is therefore necessary to accept the benefice, to...
Acceptance Acceptance in human psychology is a person’s assent to the reality of a situation, recognizing a process or condition (often a negative or uncomfortable situation) without attempting to change it or protest it. The concept is close in meaning to acquiescence, derived from the Latin acquiēscere (to find rest in). See also: What Is Acceptance? and...
Asceticism Explained Asceticism describes a life characterized by abstinence from worldly pleasures. Those who practice ascetic lifestyles often perceive their practices as virtuous and pursue them to achieve greater spirituality. Many ascetics believe the action of purifying the body helps to purify the soul, and thus obtain a greater connection with the Divine...
What Is Asceticism? The word asceticism comes from the Greek askesis which means practice, bodily exercise, and more especially, athletic training. The early Christians adopted it to signify the practice of the spiritual things, or spiritual exercises performed for the purpose of acquiring the habits of virtue. At present it is not infrequently employed in an opprobrious...
Community Service Community service is unpaid work performed by a person or group of people for the benefit and betterment of their community without any form of compensation. Community service can be distinct from volunteering, since it is not always performed on a voluntary basis and may be compulsory. Although personal benefits may be...
Morality And Ethics It is necessary at the outset of this article to distinguish between morality and ethics, terms not seldom employed synonymously. Morality is antecedent to ethics: it denotes those concrete activities of which ethics is the science. It may be defined as human conduct in so far as it is freely subordinated to the ideal of what is...
What Is Morality? In its “everyday sense” morality (from Latin moralitas “manner, character, proper behavior”) refers to a code of conduct, by which human beings regulate their lives. Theoretical interest in morality arises from the distinct sorts of questions that might be asked about this code of conduct. One question asks the kinds of practical...
Chastity Is A Virtue Chastity is a virtue concerning the state of purity of the mind and body. Chastity includes abstinence from sexual intimacy for the unmarried, and faithfulness to a marriage partner. Pre-marital virginity (abstinence) is the form of chastity expected of young people. Sexually active married couples are also considered to practice chastity if they remain faithful...
Temperance Movement The temperance movement is a social movement against the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Participants in the movement typically criticize alcohol intoxication or promote complete abstinence from alcohol (teetotalism), and its leaders emphasize alcohol’s negative effects on people’s health, personalities and family lives. Typically the movement promotes alcohol education and it also...
Is Honesty Always The Best Policy? This article covers the answer to the question: “Is Honesty Always The Best Policy?” Pretty much everybody regards the Golden Rule — “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you” — as the best guide to moral behavior. But did you...
What Is Altruism? Altruism is a concern for the welfare of others. It is a traditional virtue in many cultures, and a core aspect of various religious traditions, though the concept of ‘others’ toward whom concern should be directed can vary among cultures and religions. Altruism is the opposite of...
Freedom Freedom is traditionally understood as independence of the arbitrary will of another. Such a state is contrasted with slavery. A slave is constantly subject to the will of another. By contrast a free person can do whatever he chooses as long as he does not break the law and infringe on...