Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.
Saint Augustine
On the natural level, prudence, and on the supernatural charity, deserve plugs as well—but I’m glad to see someone taking up the cudgels with the Spartans, Stoics, and Englishmen. Virtue is a complex topic.
I was not terribly suprised to see Lewis quoted in the post after yours.
Well, it appears that there is some debate concerning the foundation of all the other virtues.
Cicero and Saint Augustine, eh?
Pretty big names.
I’ll stick with courage as the foundation.
Most people think that courage is only physical courage. They think that courage is defined by charging the machine gun or rushing into the burning building to save someone.
Courage is also telling the boss in a meeting that his idea won’t work.
Courage is not buying the vodka after you didn’t get the promotion.
Courage is “to thy self be true”.
Gratitude and humility are certainly important, but I think you have to have courage to have those virtues. As a matter of fact, I don’t see how you could possibly have those virtues without first having courage.
Thank you for your input.
It caused me to examine my thoughts on this matter, and that is always a good thing.