by Rev. Terry Power, HP
On the surface, virtues appear to be merely an outward expression of our inwardly held beliefs. And to a degree this is true. According to “Collins English Dictionary”, virtue is defined as “any admirable quality, feature, or trait.”1 On the surface, there is much to consider in that definition. But there is also a deeper level to pursue. In this commentary, we will look at how the Virtues begin within us at a personal level and express themselves outward into our communities and, ultimately, to the Divine.
In a purely philosophical way, Aristotle posited that a virtuous life leads to a happy life. He suggested that through virtue we can find the true happiness that comes from inner peace and a deep connection with the Divine – a happiness that transcends external influences or circumstances.
In a magickal sense, reflecting on the Rule of Threes, the same holds true. A virtuous life is a self-fulfilling proposition. If we believe that we get back what we put out (whether exactly three times or not), we must see that if we express the Nine Virtues in our lives, we will receive virtuous actions returned to us. Basically, if we act well toward others, people will act well toward us. And that will, ultimately make for a happy life.
Further, by expressing the Virtues in our lives, we will find an inner peace and be drawn closer to the Divine – again, a self-fulfilling proposition. No matter how we look at it, living the Virtues leads to happiness.
In his work, Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle gives nine virtues which he feels are the key to happiness. These are:
1) Bravery
2) Temperance
3) Generosity
4) Self-respect
5) Mildness
6) Friendliness
7) Honesty
8) Wit
9) Modesty
Rev. Donald Lewis, in the Lessons for the Correllian Third Degree, adds the following:
In each case Aristotle maintains that in order to be a virtue the given quality must be followed with moderation. All extremes are by nature vicious – thus even a virtue taken to excess can become a vice. Thus by Bravery Aristotle does not mean foolhardiness, nor recklessness. Similarly by Generosity he does not mean that one should be a wastrel or a spendthrift.2
The Correllian Tradition of Wicca has developed its own list of virtues over the years. They differ slightly from Aristotle’s list and the order is different as well. The Correllian Nine Virtues are:
1) Honesty
2) Generosity
3) Sincerity (Integrity)
4) Courage
5) Service
6) Practicality (which could be said to Include Temperance)
7) Modesty
8) Compassion (which could be argued to correspond to Aristotle’s Mildness)
9) Piety (Piety being “Respect” for Deity, as well as for oneself and for others)
The Correllian list reflects a contemporary understanding of these concepts and puts them into modern usage. The updated order of the Virtues also seems to correspond more to modern Wiccan thought. How can we live any of the virtues unless we start with honesty – especially with ourselves?
After years of contemplation and meditation on these virtues, I have found a pattern that leads me to a slightly different order. In keeping with magickal thinking and the power of the number nine as three groups of three, the pattern emerges. Using three triangles, nested together to form an enneagram, I created a mandala of sorts to aid in meditation and contemplation of the Virtues.
This does, however, require us to organize the Nine Virtues into a slightly different order to reflect this pattern:
Honesty
Practicality
Courage
Sincerity
Generosity
Compassion
Modesty
Service
Piety
You will note almost immediately that Honesty and Piety remain as the first and last virtues on the list. They are the anchors, if you will, of the pattern itself – the beginning and the culmination.
The pattern begins with the three Personal Virtues – Honesty, Practicality, and Courage. These are the most inward of the Virtues. It is from these that the others grow and develop.
The Expressive Virtues grow out of the Personal Virtues. Sincerity is an outward expression of Honesty. Generosity is possible to express only when Practicality is handled at the personal level. Compassion expresses Courage into action.
The last group is the Spiritual Virtues. These, by their very nature, draw us to a deeper connection with the Divine. Modesty develops from Honesty and Sincerity, Service from Practicality and Generosity, and Piety from Courage and Compassion.
Triangle 1:
Triangle 2:
Triangle 3:
By placing the virtues that emanate from Honesty onto Triangle #1, we can contemplate that line of growth and development from the Personal, through the Expressive, to the Divine itself. Triangles #2 and #3 are organized in the same fashion.
When all three triangles are nested together, we have an enneagram and mandala that can be viewed as a whole for contemplation and meditation or each triangle can be used individually.
Now, let’s return to the overarching theme of the Virtues – that of developing a manner of living that leads one to peace and true happiness. The following few paragraphs will discuss each virtue and put them into the context of a meaningful and happy life. Please understand that the definitions used were chosen to reflect this context.
Honesty
“3. freedom from deceit or fraud…”3 Honesty is a quality of truthfulness that is the first step in growth and development. The first step in any spiritual program is awareness. That awareness grows from our being honest with ourselves. Until we are honest with ourselves, we cannot make the changes we need. Through Honesty, we begin the process of changing our lives toward a life of Virtue. Further, being free of deceit will allow people to trust our words and believe that we do not lie.
Practicality
“7. mindful of the results, usefulness, advantages or disadvantages, etc., of action or procedure.”4 This is about a level-headed approach to life. Balance is needed in all aspects of being. The ordinary aspects of life must be dealt with so that we are free to express ourselves spiritually. For example, it is very difficult to gain a meditative state when your stomach is grumbling in hunger. It is hard to help others when our own needs are not met first.
Courage
“1. the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; 3. to act in accordance to one’s beliefs, especially in spite of criticism.”5 Here we need to make a comment about fear. Having the courage of one’s convictions does not mean that we do not have fear. Courage is acting on our beliefs in spite of fear. Fear is a natural reaction to a concern for ourselves and others. Courage is overcoming those feelings and facing needed action. Courage is acting out of Love instead of succumbing to Fear.
Sincerity
“1. not hypocritical or deceitful; open; genuine”6 This is Honesty expressed outward. When we act in an honest manner, we are more believable. When we are open and genuine, we gain the ability to better build and belong to community. If we are invested in that community, we gain an even greater sense of belonging.
Generosity
“1. willingness and liberality in giving away one's money, time, etc.; magnanimity; 2. freedom from pettiness in character and mind”7 This is relatively straightforward, but it must grow out of Practicality. Our willingness to give of ourselves tends to make us feel like we are a part of the world at large. Often we gain a sense of belonging by investing ourselves in this way. When we feel invested in our communities, we are more inclined to want to improve it.
Compassion
“… deep concern for the well-being of other…”8 This virtue speaks for itself. It also goes to our understanding of Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. As we overcome Fear and experience Courage, we are freer to express Compassion. Concern for the well-being of others is a deeper expression of Courage. It actually requires us to seek a greater understanding of the needs of those with whom we interact.
Modesty
“1. the quality of being modest; freedom from vanity, boastfulness, etc.; 2. regard for decency of behavior, speech, and dress, etc.”9 This is the spiritual expression of Honesty. It is the total freedom from ego. If we are overblown in our opinions of ourselves, it will be difficult to interact successfully with the Divine. We may also find it harder to be involved in our communities. Think about vain or boastful people you know. Do you want to be around them? Do you think they can find a state of mind that will allow them to commune with the Gods? Through Modesty – which is Honesty at our deepest core – we are allowed our greatest connection with the Divine.
Service
“1. an act of helpful activity; help; aid 9. The duty or work of public servants.”10 Here is the heart of what leadership is all about. As leaders, we are called to serve our communities. When we are helpful, we are expressing Generosity. But Service takes Generosity to a higher level. Entering our community’s public service – as ritual leaders, teachers, etc. – we have given of ourselves most deeply and have accepted that we will serve others and our faith.
Piety
“1. … devout fulfillment of religious obligations; 3. dutiful respect or regard for parents, homeland, etc.”11 Clearly, piety is about respect. And while many equate piety solely with devotion to our concepts of Deity, the dictionary points out how that pious respect should also be extended to others.
The definitions used here for Piety include words like “devout” and “dutiful.” This indicates that Courage and Compassion have developed to the highest level. Looking also at the Spiritual Virtues, we see that Modesty and Service also go to that highest development of respect.
Piety is an expression of the respect for all things. It is a respect that grows from our understanding of our place, and the place of all things, in the Universe. This virtue is the fullest expression of Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. It is the culmination of all the Virtues.
As we conclude our discussion of the Nine Virtues, it would be remiss to not discuss one other concept mentioned above. That concept is Moderation. In fact, it is perhaps the Tenth Virtue. This should be the overriding concept that holds the others in check. Without moderation, any of these virtues could be pushed to excess. And through such excess, even virtue could become a vice.
At this point, we refer again to Rev. Don’s writings:
Like Aristotle we would argue that a virtue taken to an extreme can be a vice. Thus by Service we do not mean being a doormat to others. By Modesty we do not mean self-abasement. Nor by Practicality do we mean materialism or ruthlessness. Rather in each case we are referring to a sensible, temperate practice.12
One might argue that a virtue cannot become a vice. But how many of us have been wounded by the brutal criticism from someone and when confronted, they say, “Well, I’m just being honest!”? Would it not be more virtuous to find a compassionate way to express the same feelings?
We cannot cast one virtue aside for another. Extreme actions and reactions have caused too many rifts in our communities. They have destroyed friendships and broken marriages.
It is sincerely hoped that these concepts will lead to meaningful contemplation of the Nine Virtues. And like Aristotle, with an eye toward moderation, let us look at these virtues – all the virtues – and seek the middle path. Then together, we can all find inner peace, connect with the Divine, and achieve True Happiness.
Blessed Be!
End Notes:
1. "virtue." Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. 29 Apr. 2014.
2. Witch School Third Degree: Lessons in the Correllian Tradition. Witch School. 2005.
3. "honesty." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 06 May. 2014.
4. "practicality." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 06 May. 2014.
5. "Courage." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 06 May. 2014.
6. "sincerity." Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. 06 May. 2014. .
7. "generosity." Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. 06 May. 2014.
8. Citation unavailable.
9. "modesty." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 06 May. 2014.
10. "service." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 06 May. 2014.
11. "Piety." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 06 May. 2014.
12. Witch School Third Degree: Lessons in the Correllian Tradition. Witch School. 2005.