Poll: The greatest virtue

[Captain Blackout]

In the midst of all the religion threads someone asked is faith a virtue. I answered that it can be either a virtue or a vice. I then said I thought the three main virtues were compassion, frugality, and humility. I believe compassion is the greatest virtue but it's clear from the religion threads that this idea is not shared by all.

I'm curious what Escapists think of virtue, and I'm curious about the spiritual* makeup of this community.

Feel free to add virtues I didn't. If I see enough calls for one I will try to add it to the poll.

*spiritual in the broad philosophical sense, not in the narrow religious sense

EDIT: I removed patience and added reason (I couldn't get more than 8 options to work) It seemed fair to me as there were enough calls for intelligence/reason.

I will not add intelligence. Reason can be chosen. Depending on your definition of intelligence, it can not.

EDIT: It occurs to me many would consider justice, but no one has mentioned it. Does anyone know if 8 is the hard limit on the number of options in a poll?

EDIT: After watching the numbers I'd like to replace Faith and Hope.
Personally I'm glad to. Hope is like fear according to the Tao Te Jhing, and I can't imagine it being the greatest virtue. Paul missed the boat on this one completely. Faith can be a wonderful virtue but it can also be horribly destructive, making a claim for the greatest virtue tough to justify.
However to be fair about this I'm looking for calls for other virtues to replace them with. If I see enough votes for other virtues in the posts, I'll overwrite faith and hope.

 

[Spaceman_Spiff]

Patience is a virtue,
Virtue is a grace
and Grace is a little girl who wouldn't wash her face.

 

[CosmicCommander]

This one may seem strange, but I say reason is man's greatest virute.

 

[APPCRASH]

I went with Courage, the acting force behind standing up for your beliefs and own wellbeing.

 

[Legion]

Humility, understanding that you are not perfect and that you can make mistakes just like anyone else.

Virtues are a made up concept but that doesn't make them any less real.

 

[Sewblon]

Truth, for without it the other virtues are meaningless.

 

[Aqualung]

Patience is a virtue,
Virtue is a grace
and Grace is a little girl who wouldn't wash her face.

Don't choo talk aboot my Nana like that!

 

[LockHeart]

This one may seem strange, but I say reason is man's greatest virute.

Randian influence there? I like it

That is, if it is what you were referring to; if not, plase feel free to ignore.

 

[Florion]

Oh... I voted "there is no virtue," but I'm actually liking "truth" now.

 

[Clashero]

Logic, reason, intelligence and wisdom. All the mental virtues are the greatest (yes, I know every virtue is intrinsically mental, but whatever)

 

[CosmicCommander]

This one may seem strange, but I say reason is man's greatest virute.

Randian influence there? I like it

Your right! I am inspired by Rand in many areas.

 

[A random person]

Compassion, it's basically the desire to help people. You don't get much more virtuous than that.

Humility, understanding that you are not perfect and that you can make mistakes just like anyone else.

Virtues are a made up concept but that doesn't make them any less real.

Exactly. They were created by humans, but that doesn't make them any less meaningful.

 

[Captain Blackout]

Logic, reason, intelligence and wisdom. All the mental virtues are the greatest (yes, I know every virtue is intrinsically mental, but whatever)

I'm going with this man.
Intelligence especially - nothing can be more important.

Calling intelligence a virtue strikes me as saying virtue is genetically determined, not chosen. I'm not saying you're wrong, just expressing my impression.

 

[Souplex]

Chutzpah other virtues are useless if you don't have the chutzpah to use them.

 

[CosmicCommander]

Calling intelligence a virtue strikes me as saying virtue is genetically determined, not chosen. I'm not saying you're wrong, just expressing my impression.

I am adament, that reason be considered, it is truly available to everyone, and makes all men WinRars!!

 

[annoyinglizardvoice]

This one may seem strange, but I say reason is man's greatest virute.

I can agree with that (although it does seem to be sadly lacking in many).

Out of the list provided, I'd say hope is the most important and faith is the least improtant to the individual themselves, but truth and compasion are important to those around them.

 

[Mad Maniac with axe-firing chainsaw]

I'd have to go with compassion, simply because of what a person may become if they lack this crucial element, regardless of other traits. A person can become a complete monster and cause damage beyond all repair if they lack this crucial element. The others are all nice to have, but compassion is simply essential. Because would you really want someone who had all the above traits, but didn't feel even the slightest bit of emotional or social connection with their fellow man?

A close second goes to intelligence, with courage taking third. Someone who is compassionate, intelligent and brave will generally get through life ok. Someone who is intelligent and brave but lacks the compassionate bit, however, will probably still get through life ok, but may take a few of their fellow humans with them!