The virtues and the defects They are traits that are used to characterize a person and that tend to influence their behaviors or attitudes. They are understood by society as positive or negative traits that, depending on the case, contribute to or undermine social harmony.
- Virtues. They are those characteristics of an individual that are expected or desired by society. They tend to have positive consequences on the person or their environment. For example: honesty, prudence, respect.
- Defects. They are those characteristics of an individual that are perceived as not expected or undesirable because they bring negative consequences for the person, for a third party or for society in general. For example: selfishness, irresponsibility, evil.
All human beings have, by nature, strengths and weaknesses. In many cases, they are understood as personality traits that can be apprehended or reeducated to try to make them prevail or not in behaviors. While the virtues allow the human being to reach the maximum potential and contribute to social harmony, the defects threaten values such as good and justice.
Throughout history, different civilizations, traditions and religions determined those expected behaviors and rejected those that did not contribute to the common good. The most outstanding virtues can vary according to each culture or place.
For the Catholic religion, for example, the most objectionable defects are the seven deadly sins, which are: anger, gluttony, laziness, lust, pride, envy and greed. On the other hand, it identifies faith, temperance, strength, justice, prudence, charity and hope as outstanding virtues.
In many cases, defects are manifested as a lack of virtue, such is the case of recklessness (lack of prudence), irresponsibility (lack of responsibility), impatience (lack of patience), intolerance (lack of tolerance) , among others.
Characteristics of the virtues
Some characteristics of the virtues are:
- They are understood as positive traits of the human being.
- They are qualities of the person that have a positive impact on the way of relating to others.
- They contribute to the common good, to harmony and social peace.
- They are based on values such as good, love and justice.
- They can be worked to try to act on them.
Characteristics of defects
Some characteristics of the defects are:
- They assume the lack of virtues and qualities.
- They have a negative implication for the individual and, in many cases, for society as a whole.
- They alienate people from what is considered morally correct.
- They are not based on desirable or expected values, such as good, love, and justice.
- They can be worked to avoid acting on them.
Examples of virtues
- Honesty. It is the virtue that implies acting based on the truth and expressing oneself with sincerity and in a respectful and fair way.
- Generosity. It is the virtue that implies giving and sharing with others without expecting something in return.
- Loyalty. It is the virtue that implies being faithful to a cause, person or situation.
- Tolerance. It is the virtue that implies accepting the opinions or points of view of others or different.
- I respect. It is the virtue that implies recognizing the value of something or someone and acting and relating in a fair and considerate way.
- Strength. It is the virtue that implies going through and resisting vicissitudes or limitations.
- Temperance. It is the virtue that implies acting with moderation and caution.
- Patience. It is the virtue that implies maintaining an open and calm attitude in the face of waiting or before a certain situation.
- Amiability. It is the virtue that implies having considerate and supportive attitudes towards others.
- Justice. It is the virtue that implies giving each one his due.
- Hope. It is the virtue that implies trusting in the possibility that something can be carried out or that something expected will happen.
- Commitment. It is the virtue that implies fulfilling and respecting the commitments assumed.
- Trust. It is the virtue that implies having the strength to believe in what you work for.
- Serenity. It is the virtue that implies assuming a calm attitude despite limitations, problems or uncertainties.
- Courage. It is the virtue that implies assuming an attitude of courage in the face of difficulties or uncertainties.
- Solidarity. It is the virtue that implies collaborating in the causes or needs of others without expecting retribution for it.
- Optimism. It is the virtue that implies focusing on the positive part of things or situations.
- Responsibility. It is the virtue that implies complying with the commitments made and assuming the consequences of one’s own actions.
- Gratitude. It is the virtue that implies giving thanks for what has been received or achieved.
- Perseverance. It is the virtue that implies having perseverance to pursue what you want, even if that means avoiding limitations or obstacles.
Examples of defects
- Irresponsibility. It is the attitude that implies not complying with the obligations, duties or promises established.
- Pride. It is the attitude that implies feeling superior in front of others and acting based on that.
- Laziness. It is the attitude that implies a lack of motivation or energy to carry out certain activities.
- Evil. It is the attitude that implies acting with malice and bad intentions to the detriment of a third party.
- Pessimism. It is the attitude that implies having a negative view of things, events or situations.
- Selfishness. It is the attitude that implies acting for your own benefit without taking into account how that will impact others.
- Intolerance. It is the attitude that implies not accepting or taking into account other opinions or points of view.
- Perfectionism. It is the attitude that implies seeking perfection in all things and in everything that is done.
- Denial. It is the attitude that implies not accepting certain things or situations.
- Envy. It is the attitude that implies showing hatred or anger at the lack of something that another person does have.
- Pride. It is the attitude that implies enhancing one’s figure and manifesting arrogance and superiority in front of others.
- Procrastination. It is the attitude that implies not taking charge of the activities to be carried out and postponing them.
- Aggressiveness. It is the attitude that implies using physical, mental or verbal violence to interact with a third party.
- Resentment. It is the attitude that implies attacking the one who has perpetuated a harm or made a mistake.
- Avarice. It is the attitude that implies the excessive desire to acquire goods or objects to treasure them for their own benefit.
- Impatience. It is the attitude that implies expressing discomfort in the face of a wait or annoyance.
- Hypocrisy. It is the attitude that implies acting contrary to what is said or the values that are professed.
- Indifference. It is the attitude that implies acting in a disinterested or impolite way in front of other people or in situations that deserve attention.
- Go to. It is the attitude that implies expressing a great and excessive anger in front of a situation.
- Imprudence. It is the attitude that implies acting without prudence, that is, with impulsiveness, without measure and without taking into account the consequences of the acts.