As is known, the five virtues recognized globally. These virtues are: (a) humility; (b) prudence; (c) Justice; (d) strength; and, (e) Temperance (Cambridge University Treatise on Social Psychology, 2004).
In this sense, humility It allows people to “recognize their strengths and weaknesses and, at the same time, take awareness to turn weaknesses into opportunities for their continuous growth.” As is known, humility is the opposite of pride. (ONU, 2001).
On his side, the second virtue it is prudence. Prudence comes from the verb “provideo”, which means to see from afar or foresee. Prudent people meditate, analyze and weigh the pros and cons, before making an important decision.
For its part, prudence implies acting with caution, respecting the life, rights and freedom of others, leaving aside foolishness, visceral criticism, insults, extravagance and the desire to control everything. (The art of prudence, Baltasar Gracián, Spain, 1668).
the third virtue it is justice. Fair people are characterized by their ability to discern between what is right and what is wrong. As such, fair people are honest, upright, compassionate, caring, and do not allow outrages to be committed against other people.
Likewise, fair people treat others as they would like to be treated, becoming a reference or model to be followed by their peers, family, friends and co-workers.
the fourth virtue is the fortress. As such, strength is the moral virtue that people assume to resist and face circumstances and events that require analysis, acuteness, pondering, awareness, forgiveness, and a resilient attitude.
In this sense, strong people recover from significant losses and frustrations and, at the same time, are able to face adverse events and emerge stronger from them. As Social Psychology has verified, strong people bring out the best in themselves in the face of adversity, learn and continue forward.
It is recognized that the fourth virtue is temperance. On their side, people with temperance are able to face circumstances that lead them to be cautious and fair. Likewise, people with temperance do not allow themselves to be manipulated and avoid causing damage, difficulties and inconveniences that harm others.
For its part, Christianity considers “temperance as a most valuable virtue from the moral point of view”, since people with this virtue are able to control their appetites and the attractions exerted by pleasures.
In addition, Christianity associates temperance with control of excesses, chastity, modesty, self-control, hospitality, decorum, abstinence, forgiveness, integrity, and respect for life.
For his part, Aristotle defined temperance “as a synonym of virtue or a special sense.” For Aristotle, temperance is a moderate behavior of enjoyment of the most vehement and attractive pleasures, such as the pleasures of touch, drinks, food and the pleasures of the body or Venus), among others. (384-322, a.C.).
As is known, in these modern times society has seen the emergence of figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Pope John Paul II and Nelson Mandela, whose behaviors and leaderships were exercised with humility, prudence, justice, strength , temperance and commitments that made them worthy of the respect and love of the poor and afflicted.
In this sense, the political, business, academic and ecclesiastical leadership of our country should reflect on the examples of humility, prudence, justice, strength, temperance and commitments that their leaders are modeling and transmitting to present and future generations.
From our point of view, our country requires political, academic, business and ecclesiastical leadership that is aware of the enormous gap that exists in the distribution of wealth in our country.
Designing policies to improve the current health and education systems, as well as launching programs and initiatives that generate decent jobs and improve electricity, drinking water and transportation services, among others, are priorities that should not be postponed for long. time in our country.
“Error is human, but it is even more so to blame someone else for it” (Baltasar Gracián).
2023-08-15 05:19:16
#art #prudence
