Choose a topic from Part 2B:
1. The word magnificence which is commonly used to meanrich display, really means "doing great things." In thisliteral meaning, magnificence is a virtue.
2. Magnificence not only means the perfection of othervirtues, but it is a special virtue itself. For magnificence has aspecial aspect of goodness in view, namely, the doing of somethinggreat-in quantity, quality, value, dignity-and thus it is specifiedas a virtue.
3. In external great works, magnificence requires largeexpenditure of money. Aristotle (Ethic. iv 2) says thatmagnificence, unlike liberality, does not belong to all uses ofmoney, but only to the larger transactions. In splendid externalmatters, magnificence regulates the outlay of money: on the onehand, it curbs the love of money which would scamp the work; on theother hand, it prevents mere garish display. Thus it worthily meetsthe high demands of a truly great external work.
4. As a virtue, magnificence is allied with fortitude. Forwhile magnificence does not face up to danger, it does face up todifficulty. It demands the difficult surrender of large amounts ofone's possessions; it demands a lot of money.
"The one thing necessary which Jesus spoke of to Martha and Mary consists in hearing the word of God and living by it."
R. Garrigou-Lagrange, OP
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"Let persons in the world sanctify themselves in their own houses, for neither the court, professions, or labour, are any hindrance to the service of God."
St Philip Neri
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"It is well to choose some one good devotion, and to stick to it, and never to abandon it."
St Philip Neri
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