Virtues

The people out there, the educated ones want us to think that virtues are a trait or quality deemed to be morally excellent and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being.

The question is who is judging what is morally excellent? Society, government, people, bosses, companies?

What qualifications do they have to judge what is morally excellent.

Who is right and who is wrong is not a decision of humans, is it?

In the 18th century, opium was common and many people took it and was morally accepted. Now it is considered a drug and not morally accepted.

Thus a positive virtue then became a negative virtue now.

But who is to say that?

Benjamin Franklin in 1730's listed thirteen virtues that he felt were important guides for living. Along with each virtue Franklin included a principle to follow that—in his opinion—would define a person of good character. The following are his 13 virtues.

1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
3. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
4. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
5. Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
6. Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
8. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
9. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
10. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
11. Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
12. Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

A little funny though. Ben Franklin was a good leader but was he virtuous? He admitted to having an illegitimate child and he also had slaves which he did eventually free. But still, was he virtuous? Who am I to say.

What are my virtues and what the Universe thinks is all that matters.

What are your virtues are up to you, but do give it a thought.

Just don't judge other people's virtues and don't even judge your own virtues, don't look at it as negative or positive, there are always two sides to a coin and the middle which holds the two sides together.

Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life. So, aim above morality. Don't just be good; be good for something.

Remember that water which is too pure will have no fish. So, be virtues if you want but do not judge yourself too hard nor judge others if their virtues do not meet your moral standards. Judgement will come from the Universe, from God perhaps, not from you and me.

Take care and be well.