Virtues

Virtue is moral excellence. A virtue is a trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being. Personal virtues are characteristics valued as promoting collective and individual greatness. In other words, it is a behavior that shows high moral standards. Doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong. The opposite of virtue is vice.

Virtue is when people realize their own limitedness, and let go of their pettiness in the infinity of the universe.

Virtues are the essence of our character and character does indeed determine destiny. The more we recognize the potential impact that practicing virtues can have on our lives, the more our lives open up to new possibilities and to greater joy and fulfillment.

Main Articles

Vice and Virtue

Virtues

Virtues

Virtues List

Acceptance

The act of accepting something or someone
Complements: Contentment, Forgiveness
Transcends: Denial, Rejection

Accountability

Willingness or obligation to explain one’s actions or to admit being the cause of a problem
Complements: Liability, Responsibility
Transcends: Unaccountability

Altruism

Feelings and behavior that show a desire to help other people and a lack of selfishness.
Complements: Generosity, Magnanimity, Nobility, Charity
Transcends: Greed, Selfishness

Ambition

Something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
Complements: Action, Aggressiveness
Transcends: Inactivity, Inertia, Passivity

Asceticism

As in devotion, morality, Austerity, Monasticism
Complements: Devotion, Morality, Prayerfulness, Spirituality
Transcends: Hypocrisy, Sanctimony

Assertiveness

Disposed to or characterized by bold or confident statements and behavior
Complements: Confidence, Courage
Transcends: Self-doubt, Shyness

Authenticity

True to one’s own personality, spirit, or character
Complements: Honesty, Integrity
Transcends: Low self-esteem

Awareness

A state of being aware
Complements: advertence, attention, consciousness, mindfulness
Transcends: disregard, neglect, obliviousness

Beauty

The qualities in a person or a thing that give pleasure to the senses or the mind
Complements: Joyfulness, Peace
Transcends: Ugliness

Benevolence

Sympathetic concern for the well-being of others
Complements: Compassionateness, Kindheartedness
Transcends: Ruthlessness, Thoughtlessness

Bravery

Strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger
Complements: Courage, Gallantry, Heroism
Transcends: Cowardice

Caring

Feeling or showing concern for other people
Complements: Compassion, Kindness
Transcends: Cruelty, Insensitivity

Caution

To give notice to beforehand especially of danger or risk
Complements: Advise, Alert, Warn
Transcends: Imperil, Risk

Charity

The capacity for feeling for another’s unhappiness or misfortune
Complements: feelings, responsiveness, sensibility, sensitivity
Transcends: ill will, malevolence, venom

Chastity

Refraining from deviant sexual conduct
Complements: Temperance, Modesty, Purity
Transcends: Immodesty, Impurity

Cleanliness

The practice of keeping yourself and your surroundings clean
Complements: Orderliness, Purity
Transcends: Dirtiness

Commitment

An agreement or pledge to do something in the future
Complements: Loyalty, Perseverance
Transcends: Lack of Direction

Compassion

Sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it
Complements: Caring, Understanding
Transcends: Grief, Judgment

Confidence

A feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something
Complements: Assertiveness, Courage
Transcends: Self-doubt, Uncertainty

Consideration

The act of thinking carefully about something you will make a decision about
Complements: Caring, Compassion
Transcends: Selfishness

Contentment

The state of being happy and satisfied
Complements: Fulfillment, Joy
Transcends: Dissatisfaction, Restlessness

Cooperation

A situation in which people work together to do something
Complements: Teamwork, Unity
Transcends: Defiance

Courage

Mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty
Complements: Boldness, Confidence
Transcends: Fear, Self-doubt

Courtesy

An act of kind assistance
Complements: Benevolence, Kindness
Transcends: Impoliteness, Incivility

Creativity

The ability to make new things or think of new ideas
Complements: Joy, Purposefulness
Transcends: Ordinary

Curiosity

An odd or peculiar habit
Complements: Attentiveness, Concern, Interest
Transcends: Conformity, Sameness

Defiance

The inclination to resist
Complements: Opposition, Resistance
Transcends: Acquiescence

Dependability

Worthiness as the recipient of another’s trust or confidence
Complements: Reliability, Trustability
Transcends: Unreliability

Detachment

Lack of emotion or of personal interest
Complements: Faith, Freedom
Transcends: Control

Determination

A quality that makes you continue trying to do or achieve something that is difficult
Complements: Commitment, Tenaciousness
Transcends: Complacency

Devotion

A great love or loyalty, enthusiastic zeal
Complements: Faith, Piety, Religion
Transcends: Atheism, Disloyalty

Dignity

A way of appearing or behaving that suggests seriousness and self-control
Complements: Honor, Respect
Transcends: Egoism, Selfishness

Diligence

Attentive and persistent effort
Complements: Industry, Sedulousness
Transcends: Carelessness

Discernment

The ability to obtain sharp perceptions or to judge well
Complements: Insight, Perception, Wisdom
Transcends: Mindlessness, Dullness

Discretion

Being discrete in ones speech, keeping secrets.
Complements: Discernment, Common sense
Transcends: Imprudence

Discipline

The trait of being well behaved and under control.
Complements: Punishment, Suffering, Control, Command
Transcends: Unconstraint

Eloquence

The art or power of speaking or writing in a forceful and convincing way
Complements: Articulacy, Persuasiveness
Transcends: inarticulateness

Empathy

The feeling that you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions
Complements: Pity, Sympathy, Understanding
Transcends: Hard-heartedness, Mercilessness

Encouragement

Something that makes someone more determined, hopeful, or confident
Complements: Support, Caring
Transcends: Self-doubt, Discouragement

Enthusiasm

Strong excitement about something; a strong feeling of active interest in something that you like or enjoy
Complements: Energy, Motivation
Transcends: Boredom, Indifference

Ethical

Following accepted rules of behavior; morally right and good
Complements: Fairness, Respect
Transcends: Immorality

Excellence

Extremely high quality
Complements: Dignity, Honor, Integrity, Respect
Transcends: Mediocrity

Fairness

Treating people in a way that does not favor some over others
Complements: Equality, Justice
Transcends: Grievance, Injustice

Faith

Strong belief or trust in someone or something
Complements: Confidence, Hope, Trust
Transcends: Apprehension, Doubt

Faithfulness

Adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty
Complements: Allegiance, Fidelity, Loyalty
Transcends: Infidelity, Disloyalty

Flexibility

Willing to change or to try different things
Complements: Detachment, Understanding
Transcends: Stubbornness

Focus

Concentrated awareness and effort.
Complements: Compass, Concentration, Attention
Transcends: Obliviousness

Forbearance

The capacity to endure what is difficult or disagreeable without complaining
Complements: Patience, Sufferance, Tolerance
Transcends: Impatience

Forgiveness

The act of forgiving someone or something
Complements: Freedom, Peace
Transcends: Anger, Bitterness

Fortitude

The strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship
Complements: Backbone, Constancy, Grit, Courage
Transcends: Spinelessness

Freedom

The state of being free from the control or power of another
Complements: Autonomy, Independency, liberty
Transcends: Dependence, Subjection

Friendliness

Acting like a friend; kind and helpful
Complements: Kindness, Tact
Transcends: Shyness

Frugality

Prudence in avoiding waste. Being economical with resources.
Complements: Economy, Providence, Thrift
Transcends: Wastefulness

Generosity

The quality of being kind, understanding, and not selfish; the quality of being generous
Complements: Kindness, Service
Transcends: Stinginess, Self-centered

Gentleness

Having or showing a kind and quiet nature; not harsh or violent
Complements: Patience, Peace
Transcends: Aggression

Graciousness

Very polite in a way that shows respect
Complements: Dignity, Tact
Transcends: Disrespect, Rudeness

Gratitude

A feeling of appreciation or thanks
Complements: Hope, Joy, Peace
Transcends: Disappointment, Pain

Happiness

A feeling or state of well-being and contentment
Complements: Intoxication, Blessedness, Felicity
Transcends: Misery, Sadness

Harmonious

Having parts that are related or combined in a pleasing way
Complements: Unity
Transcends: Hostility

Helpfulness

Making it easier to do a job, deal with a problem, etc.; giving help
Complements: Graciousness, Service
Transcends: Negativity

Heroic Virtue (Heroicity)

Supremely noble or self-sacrificing; Exhibiting or marked by courage and daring
Complements: Bold, Brave, Courageous, Fearless, Gallant
Transcends: Coward, Fearful, Spineless

Honesty

The quality of being fair and truthful
Complements: Integrity, Truthfulness
Transcends: Deceitfulness

Honor

Respect that is given to someone who is admired
Complements: Dignity, Respect
Transcends: Shame

Hope

To want something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or be true
Complements: Faith, Joy, Trust
Transcends: Despair, Frustration

Humbleness

The absence of any feelings of being better than others
Complements: Humility, Meekness, Modesty
Transcends: Arrogance, Pride

Humanity (Virtue)

The capacity for feeling for another’s unhappiness or misfortune
Complements: Compassion, Feeling, Softheartedness
Transcends: Callousness, Unconcern

Humility

The quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people
Complements: Modesty
Transcends: Arrogance, Pride

Humor

The ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is amusing, comical, incongruous, or absurd.
Complements: Hilariousness, Cheer, Spirit
Transcends: Frame of mind

Idealism

The attitude of a person who believes that it is possible to live according to very high standards of behavior and honesty
Complements: Confidence, Hope
Transcends: Cynicism, Pessimism

Integrity

Firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values; the quality or state of being complete or undivided
Complements: Honesty, Trust
Transcends: Corruption, Deceitfulness

Imaginative

Having or showing an ability to think of new and interesting ideas; having or showing imagination
Complements: Creativity
Transcends: Ordinary, Rationalism

Impartiality

Lack of favoritism toward one side or another
Complements: Fairness, Neutrality, Objectivity
Transcends: Favoritism, Partisanship

Industry

Attentive and persistent effort
Complements: Diligent, Hardworking
Transcends: Carelessness, Negligence

Innocence

The quality or state of being morally pure
Complements: Chastity, Immaculacy, Modesty, Purity
Transcends: Immodesty, Guilty

Joyfulness

Feeling, causing, or showing great happiness; full of joy
Complements: Hope, Peace, Love
Transcends: Discontent, Suffering

Justice

The process or result of using laws to fairly judge and punish crimes and criminals
Complements: Fairness, Integrity
Transcends: Discrimination

Kindness

The quality or state of being kind; a kind act
Complements: Caring, Compassionate
Transcends: Cruelty, Loneliness

Knowledge

A state of being aware
Complements: Attention, Consciousness, Awareness, Mindfulness
Transcends: Disregard, Neglect, Obliviousness

Liberality

The quality or state of being generous
Complements: Bigheartedness, Generosity, Philanthropy
Transcends: Closeness, Selfishness

Love

A feeling of strong or constant affection for a person
Complements: Caring, Forgiveness, Unity
Transcends: Fear

Loyalty

The quality or state of being loyal
Complements: Honesty, Trust, Faithfulness
Transcends: Betrayal

Magnanimity

The quality of displaying kind or generous treatment toward others especially when they are undeserving of it.
Complements: Bigheartedness, High-mindedness, Nobility, Grace
Transcends: Hard-heartedness, Mercilessness, Ruthlessness

Majesty

Great and impressive dignity.
Complements: Dignity, Royalty, Class, Elegance, Grace
Transcends: Gracelessness, Inelegance

Meekness

The absence of any feelings of being better than others
Complements: Humbleness, Humility, Modesty
Transcends: Arrogance, Pride

Mercy

Kind, gentle, or compassionate treatment especially towards someone who is undeserving of it
Complements: Charity, Clemency, Leniency
Transcends: Inhumanness, Mercilessness

Moderation

The quality or state of being reasonable and avoiding behavior, speech, etc., that is extreme or that goes beyond what is normal or acceptable
Complements: Diligence, Responsibility
Transcends: Obsessions, Overindulgence

Modesty

The quality of not being too proud or confident about yourself or your abilities
Complements: Humility
Transcends: Self-importance

Morality

Conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong
Complements: Character, Decency, Virtue, Honesty
Transcends: Badness, Immorality, Sin

Obedience

Willingness to obey, to be controlled when necessary, to carry out orders.
Complements: Acquiescence, Biddability, Compliancy
Transcends: Defiance, Disobedience

Openness

Ready and willing to talk candidly. Unsecretive.
Complements: Candidness, Directness, Honesty
Transcends: Dissembling, Dissimulation, Indirection

Optimistic

Having or showing hope for the future; expecting good things to happen
Complements: Hope, Joyfulness
Transcends: Pessimism

Orderliness

Arranged or organized in a logical or regular way
Complements: Cleanliness, Purity
Transcends: Chaos

Passionate

Having, showing, or expressing strong emotions or beliefs
Complements: Enthusiasm, Purposefulness
Transcends: Indifference

Patience

The ability to wait for a long time without becoming annoyed or upset
Complements: Determination, Peace
Transcends: Frustration

Peace

A state of tranquility or quiet
Complements: Love, Serenity, Unity
Transcends: Anger, Cruelty

Perseverance

Continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition
Complements: Commitment, Determination, Resilience
Transcends: Laziness

Persistence

Uninterrupted or lasting existence
Complements: Continuation, Endurance, Durability
Transcends: Cessation, Ending

Piety

The quality or state of being spiritually pure or virtuous
Complements: Sanctity, Piousness, Blessedness
Transcends: Impiety

Preparedness

The quality or state of being prepared
Complements: Excellence, Orderliness
Transcends: Complacency

Prudence

The ability to make intelligent decisions especially in everyday matters
Complements: Common sense, Sagacity, Wisdom
Transcends: Imprudence, Indiscretion

Purposefulness

Having a purpose as in something set up as an object or end to be attained
Complements: Creativity, Commitment, Joyfulness
Transcends: Boredom, Indifference

Punctuality

The quality or habit of arriving or being ready on time
Complements: Promptitude, Promptness, Timeliness
Transcends: Tardiness, Unpunctuality

Purity

The quality or state of being morally pure
Complements: Chasteness, Chastity, Immaculacy Innocence, Modesty
Transcends: Immodesty, Impurity

Reliability

The quality or state of being reliable
Complements: Integrity, Loyalty
Transcends: Untrustworthy

Religion As a Virtue

Belief and trust in and loyalty to God
Complements: Devotion, Faith, Piety
Transcends: Atheism, Godlessness

Resoluteness

Firm or unwavering adherence to one’s purpose
Complements: Decisiveness, Resolution,
Transcends: Hesitation, Indecision

Resourcefulness

The ability to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in regard to difficult situations and unusual problems.
Complements: Capableness
Transcends: Dryness

Respect

An act of giving particular attention
Complements: Dignity, Reverence
Transcends: Inconsideration

Responsibility

The quality or state of being responsible as in moral, legal, or mental accountability
Complements: Courtesy, Tact, Trust
Transcends: Selfishness

Restraint

The power to control one’s actions, impulses, or emotions
Complements: Continence, Self-control, Willpower
Transcends: Self-indulgence, vice, Weakness

Reverence

Honor or respect that is felt for or shown to (someone or something)
Complements: Respect, Worth, Venerate, Worship
Transcends: Hatred, Blaspheme

Righteousness

Faithfulness to high moral standards
Complements: Holiness, Honesty, Honor, Integrity,
Transcends: Baseness, Dishonor, Lowness

Selflessness

A tendency to regard the well-being of others as more important than one’s own well-being
Complements: Altruism, Philanthropy, Unselfishness
Transcends: Disfavor, Intolerance

Self-discipline

Correction or regulation of oneself for the sake of improvement
Complements: Commitment, Determination
Transcends: Chaos, Unruliness

Self Sacrifice

As in generosity, altruism
Complements: Altruism, Generosity, Magnanimity, Self-annihilation
Transcends: Narcissism, Selfishness

Service

Contribution to the welfare of others
Complements: Compassion, Generosity, Purposefulness
Transcends: Lack of concern, Self-centered

Sensitivity

Heightened awareness of oneself and others within the context of social and personal relationships.
Complements: Acuity, Sensitiveness, Sharpness
Transcends: Insensitivity

Silence

The near or complete absence of sound. Inner peace
Complements: Quietness, Stillness
Transcends: Noise

Simplicity

Clearness of expression. The quality or state of being simple and sincere
Complements: Clarity, Naturalness, Sincerity
Transcends: Cynicism, Obscurity

Sincerity

The quality or state of being sincere; honesty of mind
Complements: Authentic
Transcends: Disingenuous

Sobriety

Serious, solemn and calm. Free from intoxication.
Complements: Abstinence, Continence, Self-abnegation, Temperance
Transcends: Self-indulgence, Lightness

Spontaneity

Carefree freedom from constraint
Complements: Naturalness, Unrestraint, Abandonment
Transcends: Constraint, Restraint

Steadfastness

Adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty
Complements: Faithfulness, Adhesion, Fidelity
Transcends: Disloyalty, Treachery

Strength

Capable of exerting great force.
Complements: Firmness, Soundness, Stability, Sturdiness
Transcends: Insecurity, Unstableness, Unsteadiness

Tact

A keen sense of what to do or say in order to maintain good relations with others or avoid offense
Complements: Graciousness, Responsibility
Transcends: Clumsiness

Temperance

Habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions
Complements: Moderation
Transcends: Excessive

Tenacious

Persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired
Complements: Discipline, Perseverance
Transcends: Indecision

Thankfulness

Conscious of benefit received
Complements: Gratitude, Thoughtfulness
Transcends: Unappreciative

Thrift

Careful management of material resources
Complements: Frugality, Husbandry, Conservation
Transcends: Wastefulness

Toleration

Capacity to endure pain or hardship; sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own
Complements: Patience, Tenacious
Transcends: Narrow-mindedness

Toughness

Strong and durable; not easily damaged.
Complements: Cohesion, Solidity, Solidness
Transcends: Insecurity, Instability

Tranquility

A state of freedom from storm or disturbance
Complements: Serenely, Quite, Peaceful, Undisturbed
Transcends: Turmoil, Disturbance

Trust

Firm belief in the integrity, ability, effectiveness, or genuineness of someone or something
Complements: Confidence, Credence, Faith
Transcends: Distrust, Mistrust

Trustworthiness

Assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something
Complements: Loyalty, Respect
Transcends: Doubt, Skepticism

Truthfulness (Sidq)

Telling or disposed to tell the truth
Complements: Honesty, Faith, Trust
Transcends: Corruption, Deceit

Understanding

An agreement of opinion or feeling; adjustment of differences
Complements: Kindness, Tolerance
Transcends: Egoism

Unity

The quality or state of being made one
Complements: Harmony, Love, Peace
Transcends: Loneliness

Visionary

A thought, concept, or object formed by the imagination
Complements: Imagination, Leadership
Transcends: Lack of Inspiration

Vitality

Active strength of body or mind
Complements: Energy, Vigor, Liveliness
Transcends: Inactivity, Lifelessness, Lethargy

Wisdom

Accumulated philosophic or scientific learning; knowledge
Complements: Idealism, Visionary
Transcends: Lack of Intelligence

Wonder

A feeling caused by seeing something that is very surprising, beautiful, amazing, etc.
Complements: Creativity, Imagination
Transcends: Boredom

Zeal

A strong feeling of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something
Complements: Ardor, Fervor, Fire, Passion, Devotion
Transcends: Apathy, Laziness, Lethargy

Equality and Fairness

Equality and Fairness

Virtue In Religions

Middle Eastern Religions

East Asian Religions

Indian Religions

New Religious Movement