120 philosophical essays you must read in your life

Chapter 44

Chapter 3 The Fragrance of Virtue and Nobility

Virtue is like the bright moon in the night, not only being white and bright, but also illuminating the night and guiding people walking at night.

Virtue is a kind of noble character and moral dignity.A person who is clean and self-respecting cannot be called a virtuous person. A virtuous person must not only have good moral character, but also shine his own brilliance on others.

Section 1 Virtue

[French] Voltaire

What is virtue?Virtue is being kind to others.Is there anything else that can be called virtue besides my good deeds?When I was poor, you gave generously; when I was in danger, you came to help me; when others deceived me, you told me the truth; when others neglected me, you came to comfort me; I don't know how to solve it Come and help me with my questions, and answer me; naturally I call you a virtuous man without a doubt.

You are temperate, what does that have to do with me, this is the way of health you follow, so you will be healthy and healthy.

You have faith and virtue, and I congratulate you for your well-being.

However, prudence in words and deeds is only to obtain good qualities for oneself, but not for good deeds to others.People with good moral character can benefit mankind.

But is it only allowed to benefit the virtues of others?Of course, how can we recognize other virtues?We live in a society, and only what is good for the society is good.A solitary man may eat well and have a pious faith; he may wear but rags; then he may be a saint.Only when he has done some good deeds and others have been favored can we call him virtuous.A solitary man who is neither harmful nor beneficial is indifferent to us.

Virtue in the world is to be kind to each other, and those who do not do good to others are not virtuous.If a saint lives in the world, he will surely benefit people.But if he is far away from the world, people will have reason not to give him the title of virtuous and respected; people who are only good to themselves are of no benefit to us.

But if a person closes the door, eats, drinks, and is dissolute, he is an immoral person; and on the other hand, if he has the opposite quality, he is also a virtuous person.This is something I cannot agree to.If the man has such defects as you say, he is a very bad man; but since these scandals are harmless to society, they are justifiable to society.

But think about it, if he goes to the society to misbehave, he will do a lot of evil, but if you can say that this licentious person is probably a bad guy, you cannot say that the hermit who eats abstinently and is clean must be a good person. Because the vices in society are increasing, but the virtues are becoming rarer and rarer.

【Together with you】

Virtue is the embodiment of a person's good character in others.A person with virtue will not only gain inner peace, but also gain the respect of others for his virtue.

Da?Finch said: "The honor of a man's virtue is infinitely greater than the honor of his wealth." Virtue is a cup of fragrant tea, a cup of fine wine, and a fragrant flower.Virtue can make the heart happy and firm, and when the heart is occupied by virtue, all filth and evil will lose their living space, and life will never wither.

In life, basic qualities such as self-control and kindness are admired because they are called virtues.These virtues, in the long history of human development, have always radiated shining light, giving us observation and encouragement on the soul and consciousness.It is precisely because we have the hope for virtue that the pace of exploration is always full of strength; it is also because of the nourishment of virtue that we can keep the evergreen source of hope; In the days of vicissitudes and wind and rain, do not deviate from the belief and course of progress; it is because of the accumulation of virtue that life becomes as unyielding as a mountain and as broad as the sea...

Middle school students are in the stage of growth, and they should cultivate the fine virtues that determine their lives.In this way, you can grow on a healthy land, bathed in sunshine and rain, and accept beautiful things.You must know that all good qualities and natures, like the warm spring breeze from a pure place, blow into people’s hearts, and unconsciously our hearts get closer to all good things, and we have a natural closeness to them feeling.Therefore, learn to sow "seeds of virtue" one by one during the years of growth. One day, when the seeds grow into towering trees and bring you abundant fruits, you will be able to taste the beauty and sweetness of life …Freedom and restraint go hand in hand, and when you restrain yourself, you also gain freedom.

(End of this chapter)