Choose a topic from Part 2B:
1. Magnanimity (which literally means large-mindedness),is a kind of stretching forth of the mind to great deeds. Now, anact or a deed is great, either (a) when it is the best use of thebest things, and this is absolute greatness; or (b) whenit is the very good use of a lesser thing, and this isproportional greatness.
2. Among external things, high and true honors are thebest. With respect to possessing these honors and manifesting themnobly, man is said to be magnanimous.
3. Magnanimity shows itself in greatness of courage forobtaining or defending what is noble and honorable. It is areasonable, regulated, and settled habit of mind; hence, it is avirtue.
4. Honor is the reward of every virtue, and thereforemagnanimity has a reference to all the virtues. Yet it is a specialvirtue, for it focuses upon a special phase of good.
5. Magnanimity accords with fortitude in strengthening themind and will to endure difficulty in view of a noble end. Thusmagnanimity is a part of fortitude.
6. Cicero seems to indicate magnanimity when he assignsconfidence as a part of fortitude. Confidence is a firmtrust or hope in an assurance given, whether by the word of a man,or by the condition of affairs. Since confidence means strong hopethat good will be attained despite difficulties, it is a nobleexpectation that appears to belong to magnanimity.
7. Security is not the same as confidence; securitydenotes freedom from care and fear; it consists in being strongagainst worry, and enemies, and misfortune. Thus, security belongsdirectly to fortitude, whereas confidence belongs directly tomagnanimity and, through magnanimity, to fortitude.
8. In so far as goods of fortune (riches, power, friends)are honorable in themselves and are apt instruments for virtuoususes, these goods are conducive to magnanimity.
"God gives us some things, as the beginning of faith, even when we do not pray. Other things, such as perseverance, he has only provided for those who pray."
St Augustine
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"There is nothing which gives greater security to our actions, or more effectually cuts the snares the devil lays for us, than to follow another person’s will, rather than our own, in doing good."
St Philip Neri
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"It is better to be burdened and in company with the strong than to be unburdened and with the weak. When you are burdened you are close to God, your strength, who abides with the afflicted. When you are relieved of the burden you are close to yourself, your own weakness; for virtue and strength of soul grow and are confirmed in the trials of patience."
St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church
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