“Virtue is nothing more than acting in accordance with the laws of one’s own nature.
Spinoza”
“Today, it seems that the concept of “virtue” refers to an outdated ethical system. Virtue comes from the Latin word “vir,” which means human, and “virtus” denotes the merit of a person, the moral strength that one develops, the strength of one’s soul. Therefore, virtue is a special quality that enables a person to introspect and cultivate inner life through self-examination and correction.”
“…virtue is an expression of a person’s true nature – their mysterious, profound nature – which allows them to access conscience and their own dignity.”
“To approach conscience, one’s own dignity.
… it is necessary for human virtues to flourish again, which return man to his rightful place in society and the universe.
Our world has an incredible need for righteousness and nobility. Indeed, for decades our society has skillfully presented flaws as virtues. In doing so, consumer society justifies greed, arrogance, extravagance, and vanity in advance. Personal qualities are devalued. It seems that in most professions, the skills of machines and computers surpass human qualities. In contrast to this dark reality, it is necessary for human virtues to flourish again, which return man to his rightful place in society and the universe.
Why is it necessary to restore behavior filled with virtues? Because as soon as external pressure becomes too strong, man, a prisoner of his illusory beliefs, weakens and questions himself. It is therefore necessary to embark on their reconquest.
“The only evolution that exists is our effort for inner peace.” “The change is up to us. It is not about sitting on the edge of time and waiting for everything to resolve itself,” Jorge A. Livraga.
“The reawakening of virtues proves to be fundamental for acting in the world. In order to achieve that, it is necessary to start overcoming our own fears, accepting the pain and difficulties we encounter on our life’s journey, gradually coming to express our true nature.”
“Rediscovering our true nature”
“We have a very active role since virtues are not acquired through passivity. “The only evolution that exists is our effort for internal change. It is not about sitting on the edge of time and waiting for everything to resolve itself,” writes philosopher Jorge A. Livraga. The evolution here necessarily requires action. Awakening virtues within ourselves through persistent inner discipline is an exercise that allows us to reconnect with our true nature. “Be simple, truthful, and natural, and the philosopher within you will inevitably awaken.” “to awaken crap,” Jorge A. Livraga used to say. However, it is not simple to reach simplicity… and it should be reached naturally, without forcing it.
… the foundation of virtue itself is the effort to discover our true being, to connect with it in order to find happiness. The path is, therefore, filled with traps, but also with fragrant flowers.
Let’s break the prevailing notion: virtue is neither an external duty that requires us to suffer nor a pure obligation. It is not a penitential attitude that demands heavy sacrifices paid off in a world where the righteous are rewarded and others punished. No, the foundation of virtue itself is the effort to discover our true being, to connect with it in order to find happiness. The path is, therefore, filled with traps, but also with fragrant flowers.
One of the great difficulties we need to overcome in order to embody virtue is channeling fear. It often hinders our progress, paralyzes us, makes us prioritize customary and soothing behavior instead of expressing a brave attitude. “cats with virtues, i.e., more dignified, noble, and beautiful. Therefore, we need to learn how to fight our fears, not by suppressing or moralizing them, but by redirecting that energy to create a beneficial force. We need to learn how to remain calm, steadfast, and focused amidst the storm, embodying harmony within ourselves and around us.
Virtue is a strength that comes from within, which can help us overcome external obstacles. To achieve this, we need to cultivate courage, perseverance, and clarity of thought, enabling us to examine our own behavior and make corrections.
…there is no true virtue without a change of heart; as long as we do not change our heart, as long as we do not purify it, virtue remains only a superficial layer. It can only be expressed when the heart opens up to compassion, unleashing the power of our soul through selfless actions, allowing it to act strongly and effectively.
Expressing virtue requires the opening of the heart. Indeed, adopting righteous behavior leads to a greater appreciation for virtuous acts over simply beneficial ones.” And lucrative, even if our choice provokes the belittlement of the masses. “Virtue comes from the heart, not from the mind; when the mind nurtures virtue, it is a cunning calculation; it is self-defense, clever adaptation to the environment,” says Krishnamurti. Indeed, there is no true virtue without a change of heart; as long as we do not change our hearts, purify them, virtue is just a superficial layer. It can only be expressed when the heart opens to compassion, releasing the power of our soul through selfless actions, which can then act strongly and effectively. As Jorge A. Livraga taught: “The essential is the dominion of the soul over the body, good over evil, generosity over selfishness…”
Honor, discipline, courage, opening of the heart, the sense of sharing: these are the qualities that those who embark on the path of humanity need to acquire and embrace.