What is the most dangerous virtue?
Honesty can wound. Blind loyalty is a favorite of fanatics and organized crime. Since we know the benefits of tough love, there are times when caring can harm. Fairness can become oppressive. Civic duty can drift into the nanny state or mindless obedience. Pursuit of excellence may cloak a paralyzing perfectionism. Respect may be the virtue that is least likely to cause problems and yet, when taken to an extreme, it may lead to an undeserved deference.
So again, what is the most dangerous virtue?
4 comments:
Pursuit of excellence is the most dangerous, if the balance between self interest and the greater good is not maintained.
Either liberality, which could easily be taken advantage of, or truthfulness which may also be used against you.
Good question.
Interesting question. I would say in extreme form, any virtue can be dangerous. Self-sacrifice is a great virtue, but taken too far can lead to self-extension.
Very interesting comments from each of you. I'll be thinking about the points you raised. [Which is another way of saying I certainly haven't arrived at a clear answer but you'll help me get there.]
Thanks!
Michael
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