What are the most valuable human virtues?

empathy

Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance.

forgiveness, towards others… and ourselves

but I’m unsure if true forgiveness can come without empathy

I agree, Forgiveness is a gift that keeps on giving

power wisdom and courage

I’ll forgive you for that comment.

Power… is NOT a Virtue

Wouldn’t forgiveness be a subset of compassion? At least in my thinking.

I have no compassion for the drunk that ran over my dog… but i do forgive him for it.

@RealEyesRealizeRealLies so what does it mean to forgive then? How can you forgive without being compassionate?
Do you mean you don’t think about it anymore, or don’t blame him/her?
If you don’t, aren’t you being compassionate – understanding – empathetic etc?

curiosity, wisdom, tolerance, and most importantly altruism.

@phoebusg
Compassion is sympathy for the suffering of others. I’m compassionate towards abused children. I have no compassion for their abuser. The abuser must accept the responsibility for his actions, and pay the price. My ultimate forgiveness to him does not negate the crime he committed. He can be forgiven, and held responsible.

In prison, he may suffer. I will show him no compassion then either. For he earned his fate, where his victims did not. Only his victims shall receive my compassion.

Forgiveness. If it could be bought, I’d go get in line with my pound of flesh.

Love.

Awareness, flexibility, intellect and honesty.

Rationality.

Adaptability

honesty, understanding, sincerity, and passion

I don’t understand forgiveness at all. It seems pompous or something to me. I think compassion is the most important, honesty a close second.

@py_sue I like those.

@RealEyesRealizeRealLies What you may want to take into account is that the abuser you rail against today is the abused child you had compassion for yesterday. The abused child you have compassion for today will be the abuser for whom you have none tomorrow. I understand that there is personal choice involved, but really, in cases like the cycle of abuse, there are generally so many more variables involved that the person who needs help the most is the least likely to be able to seek it, or to benefit from it if it is sought out.
I don’t say this for any other reason than to possibly help one person who needs it. Violence is a cycle and we need to break it if we can at every opportunity, and consider all the factors before pronouncing an adverse judgment.

Greed, Avarice, Lust, Rage, Vengeance, Arrogance, and small balls of lint removed from the belly button.

@DrMC What do you have against Sloth?

@DrMC It’s always somethin’, isn’t it? ;-)

@OneMoreMinute I was just too lazy to type sloth ; )

@Trillian heheheh – want some lint?

@DrMC Maybe, after I get this ball of sweat off the end of my nose. (hehehehe, raise a toast in tribute to Miss RR)

@DrMC LOL! I get it! Good one!

@OneMoreMinute i’m not funny enough to have planned that though.

@DrMC Ha! ....Yeah you are!

I think every man is born bad selfish etc and I think it stays like this through time in his deepest corner of his mind but some of us learn how to act to the world so that they look good etc.Maybe very few of us become to believe their good etc but I think that everyone of us can be turned back into that horrible state his born

Christian95 I think that the selfish state you’re speaking of, in which all are born, is a primitive state, part of the survival instinct, and as human beings we can, and have a moral obligation to our own race to transcend that initial selfishness, to see beyond our own paltry needs, and to improve ourselves as people, using self awareness, self control, self discipline… that will lead to things like compassion, courage in its many forms, passion, which was definitely a good one IMHO, and this desire to better oneself that way, I believe, is inherent in humans, despite the selfishness, etc.

but @talljasperman I don’t know if power is a virtue, it is the virtues people have that determines how they use that power, which is another discussion…

I think the Boy Scouts of America has a terrific set of virtues they teach their boys to follow. It’s called the Scout Law and The Scout Law consists of twelve points intended to guide the behavior and decisions of scouts and scouters.

The Scout Law is:
A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.

At face value it may seem antiquated but we teach them the meaning of each and every one of these virtues and how it can apply to their everyday lives. This is part of their path in scouting that really helps to guide them in this crazy messed up world. They are taught these meanings:

A Scout is Trustworthy

A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.

A Scout is Loyal

A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.

A Scout is Helpful

A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward.

A Scout is Friendly

A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.

A Scout is Courteous

A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.

A Scout is Kind

A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.

A Scout is Obedient

A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.

A Scout is Cheerful

A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.

A Scout is Thrifty

A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.

A Scout is Brave

A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.

A Scout is Clean

A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.

A Scout is Reverent

A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

I don’t know of any virtue that is exclusively human, but of those virtues we have, I value respect for life of oneself and others as the most important.

@lucillelucillelucille Rationality? Boy you are tough!! In today’s world, that’s really raising the bar high!

@Cruiser -It covers alot,don’t you think?

@lucillelucillelucille Covers a lot by eliminating just about the entire human race. You must be real lonely! lol!

@Cruiser like using common sense…

@Cruiser -It’s not a very crowded room is it??Without rationality you can’t truly experience any other virtues.Really.Scouts honor!Lol!

@lucillelucillelucille
To employ rationality, one must be logical in thought and deed, and I must agree with Jacques Couteau: “If we were logical, the future would be bleak, indeed. But we are more than logical. We are human beings, and we have faith, and we have hope, and we can work.”

@lucillelucillelucille That’s completely irrational to think you have to be rational to be virtuous and experience any of the other virtues in life. Virtue is the glue that holds this world together and keeps it from breaking bad into complete chaos and again I know of very few people that employ rational thought or behavior in their daily lives…that is why I feel cable TV and the internet is so hugely popular.

@Cruiser-Without being rational one cannot perceive the true nature of the universe.It would be as if you walked through life as the Mad Hatter.Rationality is the glue that holds this world together.One could not be vituous without being rational.
Bring it on,Buster! :))

@lucillelucillelucille Well that certainly take me out of the race then…being borderline insane and certifiably crazy as determined and certified by my own kids…I guess I will go on pretending to be virtuous and there is not a damn thing you do about it!

<<merrily skips away>>

@Cruiser -Skips?Don’t do that. lol!

Honesty, justice

1. Wisdom and Knowledge: creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning, perspective, innovation
2. Courage: bravery, persistence, integrity, vitality
3. Humanity: love, kindness, social intelligence
4. Justice: citizenship, fairness, leadership
5. Temperance: forgiveness and mercy, humility, prudence, self control
6. Transcendence: appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor, spirituality

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Character_Strengths_and_Virtues

@lucillelucillelucille Don’t?? <<skip…skippy skip skip>> You mean that!?? lol!

@Cruiser -Yes!lol!

@lucillelucillelucille Make me!! <<pulls out his Kazoo….skip…skippy skip skip>>

When I’m with a mate, receptiveness and estrus is an important trait

Afterward, ability to nurse young is important.

Bamboo sharing is a plus.