Character Development

DEFINITIONS OF VIRTUES

18 Virtues are defined as follows:

1. Justice. A just person strives constantly to give others what is their due, so that they can fulfil their duties and exercise their rights as persons (the right to life, to cultural and moral goods, to material goods), as parents, as children, as citizens, as workers, as rulers etc --- and he also tries to see that others do likewise.

2. Fortitude. In situations which make it difficult to improve, a courageous person resists harmful influences, withstands difficulties and strives to act positively to overcome and undertake great deeds.

3. Prudence. In his work and in his dealings with other people the prudent person gathers information which he assesses in the light of right standards: he weighs the favorable and unfavorable consequences for himself and others prior to taking a decision and then he acts or refrains from acting, in keeping with the decision he has made.

4. Orderliness. An orderly person follows a logical procedure which is essential for the achievement of any goal he sets himself --- in organizing his things, using his time, carrying out his activities on his own initiatives, without having to be constantly reminded.

5. Responsibility. A responsible person accepts the responsibilities of his actions, be they intentional ( resulting from decisions taken or accepted) or unintentional, so that others either benefit as much as possible or, at least do not suffer. He is also concerned that others over whom he has any influence should act similarly.

6. Generosity. A generous person acts unselfishly and cheerfully for the benefit of others, conscious of the value of their help and despite the fact that it may cost them an effort.

7. Perseverance. Once his decision is made, a persevering person takes the steps necessary to achieve the goal he has set himself, in spite of internal or external difficulties, and despite anything which might weaken his resolve in the course of time.

8. Industriousness. An industrious person does diligently those things especially essential to the achievement of supernatural and natural maturity, and helps others to do the same, in every day work and in the fulfillment of one's other duties.

9. Moderation. A person who is moderate distinguishes between what is reasonable and what is self-indulgent and makes responsible use of his senses, his time, his money, his effort and so on, in accordance with true and upright principles.

10. Sociability. The sociable person makes good use of and discovers ways of getting together with the different people; he manages to communicate with them through the genuine interest he shows in them, in what they say, in what they do, in what they think and feel.

11. Friendship. Through friendship a person, who already knows certain other people through shared interest in work or leisure, has regular personal contact with them which stems from mutual rapport - each interesting himself in the other person and in his improvement.

12. Respect for others. A person who has respect for others acts or refrains from acting so as not to harm, and indeed so as to benefit, himself and others, according to the rights, status and circumstances.

13. Humility. A humble person recognizes his own inadequacy, qualities and abilities, and presses them into service, doing good without attracting attention or expecting the applause of others.

14. Loyalty. A loyal person accepts the bonds implicit in his relationship with others --- friends , relatives, superiors, his country, its institutions, etc - so that as he goes on, he defends and reinforces the system of values which these represent.

15. Patriotism. A patriotic person recognizes what his country has given him and is giving him. He pays it due honor and service, thereby supporting and defending the values it stands for, while also making his own the noble aspirations of every country in the world.

16. Modesty. A modest person recognizes the value of his own privacy and respects that of others. He protects his privacy from the gaze of others; he rejects anything which might encroach upon it and relaxes this practice only in circumstances which can be of benefit to him or others.

17. Optimism. An optimist has confidence, based on reason, in his own abilities, in the help which he can obtain from others and in the ability of others; thus in every situation, he can identify, first of all, the positive elements and the opportunities for improvement it offers, and secondly, the difficulties and obstacles in the way of such improvement; he takes advantage of everything favorable and faces up to the rest in a sportsman-like and cheerful manner.

18. Understanding. An understanding person recognizes the various factors which influence feelings or behavior; he studies each of these factors and how they relate to one another ( and encourages other people to do the same), and in his behavior he takes these factors into account.