Let's discuss VIRTUES

[Spice]

Please share your specific Religion and its Perspective as you see it, on these "virtues." Share a scripture quote, traditional story/parable, or perhaps a ritual that encompasses how you embrace the virtue.

I will occasionally add another, (they are from a specific theology, though I'll not say which), for discussion, so please follow the thread.

Perseverance reminds us to continue
pushing onward, despite potential
obstacles. To persevere is to not only rise
up in the face of defeat, but to learn and
grow from our mistakes and poor
choices. Anyone can be mediocre
Anyone can be average. Anyone can do
just enough to get by. But if we want to
excel, and live up to our fullest potential
then we have to persevere. We have to
push on even when things are hard and
frustrating, or even if it seems like things
are completely impossible. lf we don't
persevere, then we have nothing to strive for.

 

[Alien826]

This is not my religion, I don't have one, but I like

"An ye harm none, do what ye will"

which comes from Wicca. To me it's about as close as possible to a balance of respect for others and personal freedom as can be summed up in a few words.

In general, I hope to see many contributions from what I'll call "minority" religions, that is not Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. This could be an interesting thread.

 

[Eddi]

A virtue is when you have the right amount of a good thing

For example:

Assertiveness is a virtue, a good thing

Too much of it = aggression or domineering

Too little = weakness, being a doormat, a push over

Being virtuous is all about being balanced and having certain traits in healthy moderation

 

[SalixIncendium]

Please share your specific Religion and its Perspective as you see it, on these "virtues." Share a scripture quote, traditional story/parable, or perhaps a ritual that encompasses how you embrace the virtue.

I will occasionally add another, (they are from a specific theology, though I'll not say which), for discussion, so please follow the thread.

Perseverance reminds us to continue
pushing onward, despite potential
obstacles. To persevere is to not only rise
up in the face of defeat, but to learn and
grow from our mistakes and poor
choices. Anyone can be mediocre
Anyone can be average. Anyone can do
just enough to get by. But if we want to
excel, and live up to our fullest potential
then we have to persevere. We have to
push on even when things are hard and
frustrating, or even if it seems like things
are completely impossible. lf we don't
persevere, then we have nothing to strive
for.

Just so I'm clear on the thread rules, we are specifically discussing 'perseverance' until you present another virtue to discuss?

 

[Kathryn]

37 Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.

38 This is the greatest and the first commandment.

39 And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.

Matthew 22:37-40

That's how I try to live my life.

 

[Spice]

Just so I'm clear on the thread rules, we are specifically discussing 'perseverance' until you present another virtue to discuss?

That's what I'm going for. One virtue by multiple views.

 

[Tamino]

Ok, I have edited my post - I thought the idea was to add each culture's most important virtues.

So, perseverance?
In the Ancient Egyptian military, the greatest honor was a solid golden medal in the shape of a fly.
Because a fly is like a good soldier: always in your face, yet difficult to catch, and it just keeps coming back...

 

[Spice]

37 Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.

38 This is the greatest and the first commandment.

39 And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.

Matthew 22:37-40

That's how I try to live my life.

So, for Christianity, perseverance would be noted in: Matthew 24:13 "But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

Any others?

 

[Tamino]

A virtue is when you have the right amount of a good thing

For example:

Assertiveness is a virtue, a good thing

Too much of it = aggression or domineering

Too little = weakness, being a doormat, a push over

Being virtuous is all about being balanced and having certain traits in healthy moderation

That's a good summary of Aristotle's view, right? Wasn't he all about the good balance and moderation?

 

[Spice]

A virtue is when you have the right amount of a good thing

For example:

Assertiveness is a virtue, a good thing

Too much of it = aggression or domineering

Too little = weakness, being a doormat, a push over

Being virtuous is all about being balanced and having certain traits in healthy moderation

Can you share an example of how perseverance would be seen as a virtue in your religion, or would it be a weakness?

 

[Kathryn]

So, for Christianity, perseverance would be noted in: Matthew 24:13 "But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

Any others?

Love for God and others pretty much permeates this passage of Matthew 22.

 

[Spice]

grw - "gheroo" - Silence
Ancient Egyptian instructions favor the virtue of "the silent one": a person who does not speak up without consideration, who tries to deescalate and avoid conflict and who controls their impulses.
This is contrasted to the "hot-hearted" who starts fights, does not think before speaking and is easily provoked.

The famous Ptah-Hotep relates some advice, to demonstrate how silence and measured speech is helpful in all situations.
He speaks of three situations of meeting an opponent in a debate.
One, if your opponent is of superior skill - if you keep your calm, you might still be able to impress the listeners with your graceful conduct, while your opponent may get into a rageful vent and thus damage his reputation.
Two, if your opponent is an equal, silence will show your superiority, while he might speak badly of others and this will not be well-received.
Three, if your opponent is less skilled. Then it would be mean to steam-roll him and anyway, he'll get himself in trouble without your help.

I have to admit that I am kind of puzzled by this set of instructions. In my experience, the "hot-hearted" debaters who speak a lot, who bad-mouth their opponents and appeal to emotion are the successful ones. Was old Ptah-Hotep just living in an idealized dreamscape in his head where everyone loves Ma'at and is wise and would not listen to braggarts and demagogues? Or was debate culture in Ancient Egypt truly different, with certain forms of emotional speech being received badly?

I see that though. In perseverance of silence one is less likely to jump to wrongness, whether in understanding or "aim."

 

[Eddi]

Can you share an example of how perseverance would be seen as a virtue in your religion, or would it be a weakness?

I think that would depend on the circumstances, I would need more details as well as a specific definition of perseverance

 

[Eddi]

That's a good summary of Aristotle's view, right? Wasn't he all about the good balance and moderation?

From what I can remember yes, I think so

 

[Spice]

I think that would depend on the circumstances, I would need more details as well as a specific definition of perseverance

That would be taking someone else's view into yours. Just go with the OP description and see how it flows....

 

[SalixIncendium]

In Hinduism, there are practices known as tapas, which are austerities such as meditation, fasting, asceticism, renunciation, etc. Perseverance in these austerities is conducive to attainment of Self-realization, and thereby, moksha.

 

[Eddi]

That would be taking someone else's view into yours. Just go with the OP description and see how it flows....

Yes, I think perseverance is a good thing

Until it becomes an obsession or detrimental to your wellbeing

It's good to persevere but not to be way too committed to something

That's what I think anyway!

 

[Kathryn]

As far as perseverance goes, I do go to church every Sunday, which takes perseverance sometimes! LOL

 

[Spice]

As far as perseverance goes, I do go to church every Sunday, which takes perseverance sometimes! LOL

Yes it does!

 

[Spice]

Yes, I think perseverance is a good thing

Until it becomes an obsession or detrimental to your wellbeing

It's good to persevere but not to be way too committed to something

That's what I think anyway!

I see that! Perseverance may be a good thing - a virtue, but it can grow into stubbornness if left unattended. Good call!