A634.6.3.RB - What are Virtues?

The virtue test concluded that I am on the right path but I could certainly pay more attention to being more clean and orderly.  While answering some of the questions, I had to disagree with some of the provided answers; however, I chose the one that most closely resembled the answer I would have chosen.  For my task, I have chosen three of Benjamin’s virtues that I can relate to in my daily life activities.

·         Order: Let all your things have their places.  Let each part of your business have its time.When it comes to order, I am a true believe that everything has a place and time.  I believe order is important when it comes to work, play, and family. Although order is good, I have often been told that I have too much order; often referred to as rigid or over structured.  I chose this virtue because I believe I am a strong enforcer of having order in my life – whether in my professional or personal life.  As I have matured, how I view order has changed.  Once work was the priority, now family takes precedence over everything.  The more mature person understands that there needs to be a balance when it comes to order, if not chaos is always around the corner.

·         Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself.  Avoid trifling conversation. This is a great virtue I hold very close to my heart, especially in today's society.  I have often been misunderstood when it comes to silence due to the fact that I avoid trivial conversation; even to the point of being called anti-social.  I try to use this virtue to my advantage in several ways.  I have learned to be an active listener, while at the same time, I use critical thinking before I act upon what I have heard.  With that being said I have learned that silence is a very powerful tool in a world filled with various methods for people to communicate with each other around the world.

·      Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.  At this stage in my life, I consider myself “humble”.  I have realized that everything you have can be taken away in an instance. The definition of humility that I think really speak volumes is, “Acknowledging that achievements result from the investment of others in my life.” (Character qualities, 2013). To me, it is so important to always try and remain humble and count your blessings and to never compare your actions with others around you.  As I have matured, I try to be aware of the feelings of others, and I try to respect those feelings.

 

References:

Character qualities. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.characterfirst.com/qualities/
 

PBS. (n.d.). Ben’s 13 virtues. Retrieved from 

http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/pop_virtues_list.html