The 128 most classic philosophical essays in the world

Chapter 50 Virtue
[French] Voltaire

Virtue in the world is to be kind to each other, and those who do not do good to others are not virtuous.

What is virtue?Virtue is being kind to others.Is there anything else that can be called virtue besides doing good deeds?

When I was poor, you gave generously; When I was in danger, you came to help me; Others deceived me, but you told me the truth; Others neglected me, but you came to comfort me; I don’t know how to solve it Come and help me with my questions, and answer me, and I will call you a virtuous man without a doubt.

You are temperate, what does that have to do with me, this is the way of health you follow, so you will be healthy and healthy.

You have faith and virtue, and I congratulate you for your well-being.

However, prudence in words and deeds is only to obtain good qualities for oneself, but not for good deeds to others.People with good moral character can benefit mankind.

But is it only allowed to benefit the virtues of others?Of course, how can we recognize other virtues?We live in a society, and only what is good for the society is good.A solitary man may eat well and have a pious faith, he may wear only rags, and he may be a saint.Only when he has done some good deeds and others have been favored can we say that he is highly respected.A solitary man who is neither harmful nor beneficial is indifferent to us.

Virtue in the world is to be kind to each other, and those who do not do good to others are not virtuous.If a saint lives in the world, he will surely benefit people.But if he is far away from the world, people will have reason not to give him the title of virtuous and respected; people who are only good to themselves are of no benefit to us.

But if a person closes the door, eats, drinks, and is dissolute, he is an immoral person; and on the other hand, if he has the opposite quality, he is also a virtuous person.This is something I cannot agree to.If the man has such defects as you say, he is a very bad man; but since these scandals are harmless to society, they are justifiable to society.

But think about it, if he goes to the society to misbehave, he will do a lot of evil, but if you can say that this licentious person is probably a bad guy, you cannot say that the hermit who eats abstinently and is clean must be a good person. Because the vices in society are increasing, but the virtues are becoming rarer and rarer.

Heart mark notes
Virtue is a bright moon, which not only is white and bright, but also illuminates the night sky and guides those who walk at night.A person who is clean, self-loving, wise and self-protecting cannot be called a virtuous person. A virtuous person must not only possess virtues, but also carry forward these virtues and shine on others everywhere.

No matter what stage of life we ​​are in, we must strive to be a virtuous person, because all good qualities and nature, like the warm spring breeze from a pure land, blow into people's hearts, unconsciously, our hearts Get closer to all good things.

(End of this chapter)