What Does Patience Is A Virtue Mean?

What does it mean that patience is a virtue?

‘Patience is a virtue’ is a short phrase that means ‘ waiting calmly is a good trait.’ This proverbial phrase reminds the listener or reader about the societal and moral value of waiting to get what they want until a more convenient time.

Why patience truly is a virtue?

Having patience means you can remain calm, even when you’ve been waiting forever or dealing with something painstakingly slow or trying to teach someone how to do something and they just don’t get it. It involves acceptance and tolerance.

Does the Bible say patience is a virtue?

The origin of the popular saying “patience is a virtue” comes from a poem around 1360. However, even before then the Bible often mentions patience as a valuable character quality. Well, patience is most commonly defined as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.

In other words, patience is essentially “waiting with grace.” Part of being Christian is the ability to accept unfortunate circumstances gracefully while having faith that we will ultimately find resolution in God. Virtue is synonymous with having a noble character. It simply means the quality or practice of moral excellence and is one of the central tenants of Christianity.

Being virtuous is essential to enjoying a wholesome life and building healthy relationships! In Galatians 5:22, patience is listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit. If patience is a virtue, then waiting is the best (and often most unpleasant) means by which the Holy Spirit grows patience in us.

Is patience a great virtue?

There are many reasons to work on your patience as an entrepreneur that will offer a positive return on investment. Here are some helpful tips for developing this virtue. Patience is a quality that tops the list of healthy, positive virtues alongside honesty, kindness, and empathy.

These virtues are generally considered to be hallmarks of a good, moral person, but they’re considered virtues for another reason, too: People usually struggle to embody them on a daily basis. The virtue of patience can be one of the most challenging to practice consistently, primarily because the stress of daily life and work gives us so many opportunities to experience frustration.

From trying to stay calm in a traffic jam to shepherding small children through a grocery store checkout line, everyday stresses can make patience elusive. We’ve all become accustomed to instant gratification, even in the face of 2020’s challenging situation that forced us to cope with COVID and all its associated uncertainty and setbacks.

Is patience one of the 7 virtues?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In Christian tradition, the seven heavenly virtues combine the four cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude with the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, The seven capital virtues, also known as contrary or remedial virtues, are those opposite the seven deadly sins,

What is the opposite of patience is a virtue?

Source: Pixabay An old man shared his deepest regret. “I wish,” he said, “that I had understood the unfolding of time.” Patience (or forbearance) comes from the Latin patientia, “patience, endurance, submission,” and, ultimately—like “passivity” and “passion”—from patere, “to suffer.” It can be defined as the quality of endurance or equanimity in the face of adversity, from simple delay or provocation to tragic misfortune and terrible pain.

Being both useful and difficult, patience is often thought of as a virtue, but it can also be understood as a complex of virtues including self-control, humility, tolerance, generosity, and mercy, and is itself an important aspect of other virtues such as hope, faith, and love.
Patience is, therefore, a paradigm for the ancient notion of the unity of the virtues.

In Buddhism, patience is named as one of the Six Perfections ( paramitas ) and extends to the non-return of harm. The Book of Proverbs, in the Judeo-Christian tradition, speaks very highly of patience: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” This is echoed in Ecclesiastes, which teaches, “the patient in spirit is better than the proud of spirit.

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” The opposite of patience is, of course, impatience, which can be defined as the inability or disinclination to endure perceived imperfection. Impatience is a rejection of the present moment on the grounds that it is marred and ought to be replaced by some more ideal imagined future.

It is a rejection of the way things are, a rejection of reality. Whereas patience recognizes that life is a struggle for each and every one of us, impatience takes offence at people for being the way they are, betraying a kind of disregard, even contempt, for human nature in its finitude.

Is patience the strongest virtue?

Cato the Elder – Dating back to the third or fourth century, we know of T he Distichs of Cato, commonly referred to as Cato, This was a Latin collection of proverbial wisdom and morality, becoming the most popular Latin textbook in the Middle Ages. It was considered not only a textbook for learning Latin, but good morals, too.

Why is patience no longer a virtue?

Waiting for things that aren’t going to happen is not patience — it is foolish. – Patience is a virtue when there is an end to the means. When we were younger waiting for our Mac & Cheese, our patience meant we’d be able to eat it without burning our mouths.

When we were waiting for a teacher or professor to post a grade, our patience allowed us to stress less about something we had no control over.
When we asked our boss for a raise or promotion, our patience was paired with our actively seeking that which we desired.
However, I’ve seen plenty of examples of patience simply for the sake of patience.

The problem with patience for the sake of patience is that it is not paired with any ambition to seek that in which we desire. We are waiting for things to happen that we have not actively worked for — and then we are disappointed when our results don’t meet our expectations.

Patience needs to be paired with action.
Sometimes the proper action is to do nothing and waitand sometimes it’s not.
For example: This is my fourth draft of this blog.
When I first wrote it, I had an idea for the blog, but my idea wasn’t fully complete.
If I would have said, “Well, I should probably be patient and not write this blog until I’ve fully formed my idea,” I can almost guarantee you it would never have been published.

It was important for me to start taking action towards my desired outcome. Patience is more about being okay with my first three blogs not sounding how I wanted them to sound — it is less about waiting for the right thoughts to be fully present in my mind before starting.

Another example: A girl who wishes a certain boy would pursue her will say, “When is he going to ask me out?” Or worse, “When is he going to notice me?” Now, I am all for chivalry, but a question seems to arise in my mind when I hear this: “Have you done anything to be noticed?” It is great to be patient in this scenario (she doesn’t want to come on too strong) — but maybe sending a subtle hint, or at least saying hello, could get his attention.

Otherwise, she may be waiting patiently for a boy who is oblivious to her intentions. At the end of the day, I am all for being patient. Things may not always work out the way we envision, and it is a good idea to keep a level head. But patience for the sake of patience is simply waiting.

And waiting for something that isn’t going to happen is just foolish.
Be sure to pair your patience with action and intention — it is the yin and the yang of this conundrum.
Physical action matched with mental resilience will deliver positive results both in the tangible and intangible sense.
Take action towards your goals.

Be patient with the results. When working within this framework, patience becomes a virtue once again.

You might be interested: What Does Catfish Use To Search Phone Numbers?

Who first said patience is a virtue?

Background: – The first known recording of this expression is in Piers Plowman, a narrative poem believed to have been written by William Langland between 1360 and 1387. It is similar to the Latin expression, maxima enim, patientia virtus (patience is the greatest virtue). : Why do we say Patience is a virtue?

What did Jesus say about patience?

‘Jesus replied, ‘ You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand. ‘ ‘ ‘Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.’ ‘Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.’

Does patience really pay off?

You may have heard phrases like “good things come to those who wait” and “patience is a virtue” from your coach. While it can be difficult to wait for the rewards we desire, there is truth to the idea that patience and persistence pay off in the end. This is known as the Law of Patience & Reward.

The Law of Patience & Reward is a guiding principle that suggests that if we consistently show up with energy and enthusiasm, good things will come to us.
It is about cultivating patience and putting in the work even when we don’t see immediate results.
In this blog, we’ll explore how the Law of Patience & Reward applies to your journey as a player and how we can use it to achieve success.

Patience: The Key to Success Patience is a key component of the Law of Patience & Reward. It is the ability to tolerate delays or difficulties without becoming frustrated or upset. Patience is not just about waiting, but about how we wait. When we cultivate patience, we are able to approach challenges with a calm and rational mindset, which allows us to make better decisions and persevere through difficult times.

One of the benefits of patience is that it reduces stress.
When we are impatient, we can become anxious and stressed, which can lead to negative health outcomes.
Studies have shown that people who are more patient are less likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Another benefit of patience is that it increases resilience.

When we are patient, we are better able to handle setbacks and challenges. We are able to bounce back from failures and keep moving forward, even when things don’t go as planned. James Clear said it best “Patience is a competitive advantage. In a surprising number of fields, you can find success if you are simply willing to do the reasonable thing longer than most people.” Reward: The Fruit of Consistency The Law of Patience & Reward also emphasizes the importance of consistency.

It suggests that if we consistently show up with energy and enthusiasm, we will be rewarded with success.
Consistency is about showing up day after day and putting in the work, even when we don’t feel like it.
One of the benefits of consistency is that it builds momentum.
When we consistently put in the work, we start to see progress.

This progress can be motivating and can help us stay committed to our goals. Consistency also helps us improve our skills. When we practice something consistently, we get better at it. The more we practice, the better we become. The Law of Patience & Reward in Action So how can we apply the Law of Patience & Reward in your own journey as a player? Here are some practical tips:

Set realistic goals. When we set unrealistic goals, we set ourselves up for failure. Instead, set goals that are challenging but achievable. This will help us stay motivated and committed to our goals.Focus on progress, not perfection. When we focus on perfection, we can become discouraged when we don’t meet our own high standards. Instead, focus on progress. Celebrate the small wins along the way and use them as motivation to keep going.Stay motivated and enthusiastic. When we approach our goals with energy and enthusiasm, we are more likely to stay committed to them. Find ways to stay motivated, whether it’s by listening to inspiring music or talking to a supportive friend.Practice patience and consistency. When we practice patience and consistency, we set ourselves up for success. Remember that success takes time and effort. Keep showing up day after day and putting in the work, even when it feels difficult.

Conclusion The Law of Patience & Reward is a powerful guiding principle that can help us achieve success in the game. By cultivating patience and consistency, we can reduce stress, increase resilience, and build momentum toward our goals. ++++++++++ If you like this article and would like to read more visit my full blog: https://www.chadlongworth.com/blogs/player-development/,

Is patience a virtue or a gift?

Patience is a Virtue but Perseverance is a Gift from God.

What is a good quote about patience?

‘ Patience attracts happiness; it brings near that which is far.’ We all know the old adage: Patience is a virtue. But it’s true! Patience can help us achieve our goals, maintain a more positive outlook on life, and make us less reactive, which in turn will make us less prone to bad decisions.

What is the conclusion of patience is virtue?

Patience is a virtue that has stood the test of time, often regarded as a cornerstone of human character. It is the ability to endure delays, setbacks, or adversity with a calm and composed demeanor. Maintaining a good attitude while waiting and refraining from grumbling or transferring aggression are essential aspects of patience, and they hold immense significance in our personal and societal lives.

First and foremost, patience is a virtue because it allows us to navigate the challenges of life more gracefully.
In a world where instant gratification is often sought after, those who can patiently endure trials and tribulations are better equipped to overcome obstacles and achieve long-term goals.

Patience enables individuals to persevere through difficult moments, making them more resilient and adaptable. Furthermore, maintaining a good attitude while waiting is crucial for our mental and emotional well-being. Impatience and frustration during waiting periods can lead to stress, anxiety, and even anger.

In contrast, a positive attitude not only reduces these negative emotions but also promotes a sense of inner peace and contentment.
It allows us to use our time constructively, engage in self-reflection, and find joy in the present moment.
Avoiding grumbling and the transfer of aggression is equally important because it fosters healthy relationships and a harmonious society.

When we grumble or take out our frustration on others while waiting, we create tension and negativity in our interactions. On the other hand, practicing patience and maintaining a good attitude promotes empathy, understanding, and cooperation. It allows us to treat others with respect and kindness, contributing to a more compassionate and tolerant world.

Is patience a rare virtue?

Author, Life Optimizing Coach, and HR Professional – Published Jun 8, 2023 Patience has become a rare virtue in today’s fast-paced world. We live in an era of instant gratification, where we expect quick solutions to our problems and immediate results.

However, being patient is a valuable skill and an essential ingredient for personal growth and fulfilment. Let’s explore the art of being patient, its benefits, and how we can cultivate patience. The Importance of Patience: Patience is one’s ability to remain calm and composed in the face of adversity, delay, or frustration.

It allows us to maintain perspective and make thoughtful decisions rather than acting impulsively. Patience is closely linked to resilience, as it helps us weather the storms of life and bounce back stronger. Moreover, patience fosters better relationships, improves our emotional well-being, and enhances our overall quality of life.

Recognize and accept your triggers: Identify situations or circumstances that test your patience. Is it waiting in long queues, dealing with difficult people, or facing unexpected delays? By knowing your triggers, you can better prepare yourself to respond patiently when faced with those situations. Practice Mindfulness and self-reflection: Mindfulness meditation and self-reflection can help you better understand your thoughts, emotions, and reactions. Each day, sit in silence, observe your thoughts without judgement, and cultivate a sense of inner calm. This practice can enhance your ability to respond patiently to challenging situations. Set Realistic Expectations: Impatience often arises when our expectations don’t align with reality. Learn to set realistic expectations and be flexible when things are unplanned. Understand that things can be beyond your control, and adaptability is critical in maintaining patience. Find Meaning in the Journey: Instead of fixating solely on the destination, learn to appreciate the process and find joy in the journey. Each step forward, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goals. Enjoy the learning experiences, the setbacks, and the growth that come with patience. Seek Perspective and Support: Step back and gain perspective when impatience arises. Ask yourself if the situation will matter in the long run and if it’s worth getting worked on. Surround yourself with positive people who can provide encouragement and different perspective during challenging times. Practice Gratitude: Practice gratitude by focusing on the positive aspects of the situation or by reminding yourself of what you are grateful for. Shifting your focus to gratitude can help cultivate patience and maintain a positive outlook.

You might be interested: What Does The Black Horse In Revelation Represent?

To conclude, patience is not merely about waiting but cultivating resilience, self-control, and inner growth. We can navigate life’s challenges with grace and optimism by embracing patience. It allows us to build stronger relationships, make better decisions, and find fulfilment in the journey.

Is patience is a virtue a motto?

‘Patience is a virtue’ is a proverbial phrase referring to one of the seven heavenly virtues typically said to date back to Psychomachia, an epic poem written in the fifth century.

What are 7 heavenly virtues?

seven heavenly virtues, also called seven holy virtues, in Roman Catholic theology, the seven virtues that serve to counter the seven deadly sins, Formally enumerated by Pope Gregory I (the Great) in the 6th century and elaborated in the 13th century by St.

Thomas Aquinas, they are (1) humility, (2) charity, (3) chastity, (4) gratitude, (5) temperance, (6) patience, and (7) diligence. Each of these can be used to overcome the corresponding sins of (1) vainglory, or pride, (2) greed, or covetousness, (3) lust, or inordinate or illicit sexual desire, (4) envy, (5) gluttony, which is usually understood to include drunkenness, (6) wrath, or anger, and (7) sloth.

The seven heavenly virtues are similar but distinct from the seven virtues (comprising four cardinal virtues and three theological virtues) that are considered to be fundamental to Christian ethics, One of the first iterations of the seven heavenly virtues was offered by the 5th-century writer Prudentius in his poem Psychomachia (“The Contest of the Soul”).

His seven—chastity, faith, good works, concord, sobriety, patience, and humility—were intended to be the opposite of the seven deadly sins of the time, which were lust, idolatry, greed, discord, indulgence, wrath, and pride. In 590 ce, Pope Gregory I rewrote the list of sins, changing them to lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, envy, wrath, and pride; the revised virtues became chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, and humility.

These virtues are said to point a Christian toward God and away from a disposition to sin. The cultivation of the seven heavenly virtues is expected to result in good works, such as sheltering strangers, feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, ministering to the imprisoned, and burying the dead.

What is a synonym for patience virtue?

1 calmness, composure, cool (slang) equanimity, even temper, forbearance, imperturbability, restraint, serenity, sufferance, tolerance, toleration 2 constancy, diligence, endurance, fortitude, long-suffering, perseverance, persistence, resignation, stoicism, submission Antonyms 1 agitation, exasperation, excitement, impatience, irritation, nervousness, passion, restlessness 2 irresolution, vacillation English Collins Dictionary – English synonyms & Thesaurus Collaborative Dictionary English Thesaurus


weenie	n.	someone who is a coward	He’s such a weenie!
he could sell sand to an arab	exp.	he is a very good seller
! kerned yoghourt	v.	kerned is a Somerset word meaning ‘thickened’
! Qua	n.	used to describe a person.i.e this is the qua am telling you about or he is a fantastic qua
momoger	n.	Portmanteau of the words “mom” and “manager”. A momager is a mother who is also the business manager for her son or daughter.
regression test	n.	is a test process that is performed after the software has been changed in order to verify if the changes didn’t affect other software parts
rotten apple OR bad apple	n.	Arotten apple is a member of a group, or a single element in a set of things, that is bad and likely to corrupt the other people or things in the group	Allusion to the expression “One bad apple spoils the barrel”
chav	n.	In the UK, a chav is a highly antisocial juvenile delinquent who wears (usually counterfeit) designer sports clothes and high-end brands and vulgar jewellery (= bling) and listens to rap music.	Very common, colloquial En France on appelle ça un caillera
todger	n.	an affectionate slang name for a penis, similar to tadger, which is a more common used term. Used especially in the North of England, Todger has also been used as a nickname, particularly for males called Tom and Todd
scally	n.	A scally is a working class youth who wears designer sports clothes as a status symbol	Colloquial Very similar to a chav (but chavs are more extreme in their appearance than scallies)
demonym	n.	a demonym, also referred to as a gentilic, is a name for a resident of a locality.	ex.: the demonym for the people of Italy is Italian.
Lesewut	n.	Lesewut is a German word for “reading craze” (literally) used to describe a specific period in the intellectual history of Germany from the late eighteenth century onward.
body part	n.	a body part is a part of a human body, usually one that has been cut or torn from the body in a violent incident (such as an accident, an explosion, etc)
! Cybertort	det.	Cybertort is a willful act done by a person on internet that may cause legal injuries to virtual identity or virtual property of a person in cyberspace	; cyber defamation is Cybertort
! Papillex™	n.	Papillex™ is a patented phytoceutical complex formulated to support normal immune system response to HPV naturally.
what’s the catch	id.	when sth sounds too good to be true and not as good as it seems to be and you suspect that there is a hidden problem
! Digital Footprints	exp.	Digital footprint is a track left by user in form of data in process of transmission of information online
A breath of fresh air	n.	means a different approach or a welcome change to something. Ex.: anna has lots of wonderful ideas and motivation – she is a breath of fresh air.
! Interactive Databases System	o.	Interactive Databases System is a process of storing data in files based on interaction between pieces of data.	Interactive Databases System is a process of storing data in files

To add entries to your own vocabulary, become a member of Reverso community or login if you are already a member. It’s easy and only takes a few seconds:

Is patience a virtue tolerance?

Tolerance among the Virtues There is a popular view of tolerance – perhaps more frequently accepted implicitly than argued for – on which tolerance is an idiosyncrasy of liberal societies. Most societies, this story goes, are intolerant: they attempt to regulate too much of our personal lives and end up meddling with what is best left to individual choice – religion, clothing, hairstyles, and so on.

Liberal societies, by contrast, leave such aspects of life as religion or dress up to the individual. The locus classicus for this view of tolerance is probably John Locke’s Letter Concerning Toleration, In that piece, Locke endorses religious diversity, arguing that spiritual salvation is none of the state’s business.

Ever since Locke, we have been adding items to the list of things to be tolerated: sexual orientation, gender identity, abortion, and so on, all in the service of the liberal value of autonomy. Tolerance thus understood has occasioned attitudes ranging anywhere from admiration to ambivalence and resentment.

Objections come from all sides.
On the one hand, those who are expected to tolerate may prefer not to restrain their outrage in the face of what they perceive as others’ objectionable choices.
On the other hand, the tolerated may see tolerance as a condescending attitude: they may wish to be accepted, or even have their choices celebrated, rather than merely tolerated.

In addition, those whose choices do not end up on the liberal list of things to be tolerated may come to suspect that it is not autonomy that matters to a liberal society at all, but rather, keeping one’s choices in line with the list sanctioned by liberal sensibilities.

John R. Bowlin’s book tells a different story, meant in part to parry some of these objections, and in part to provide what he sees as a better account of tolerance. On the view Bowlin develops, tolerance is a “natural” virtue. The basic idea is the following: there is indeterminacy to the human good and a diversity of possible loves and goods that humans pursue.

A concern with justice arises out of this indeterminacy and this diversity: we want to give each other what each is due. Sometimes, what another is due is patient endurance of her choices and the pursuit of her loves. Tolerance is the virtue of reacting with patient endurance in the right sorts of circumstances.

Tolerance is thus a part of justice. It is a perfection of our responses to the differences of others, and more particularly, to objectionable differences. It enables us to achieve peace and give to each other what each is due. The tolerant respond with patient endurance without either resentment or desire to express their outrage.

Finally, in order for tolerance to be a virtue of character, it must become habitual. Bowlin writes, “The virtuous consider themselves obliged to respond with patient endurance to at least some objectionable differences” (102). And later, ” object to the right differences, intend the right ends, take note of the right circumstances, and respond with the right actions, all with the ease of habit” (165).

You might be interested: What Does Liver Pain Feel Like?

As the last sentence suggests, Bowlin acknowledges that tolerance is not always the right response to objectionable differences. It is only the right response in the right circumstances. Some things are intolerable, and those things ought not to be tolerated. One example given by Bowlin involves tolerating the objectionable musical tastes of one’s teenage son: tolerance is the virtuous response to objectionable musical taste.

But were one’s son, by contrast, to get involved with drug dealing, one would be well-advised to intervene, coercively if necessary. Such an intervention would be just what is required in order to give one’s son what he is due: a parent who lets his or her son go down the path of self-destruction is not being tolerant – he or she is being a bad parent.

The heroes of Bowlin’s story are not thinkers such as Locke and Mill, but Aquinas and, to a lesser extent, Wittgenstein. Aquinas did not focus much on tolerance, but he developed an Aristotelian account of virtue on which virtue is natural in the sense that virtues derive their desirability and advisability from their connection to the final end human beings naturally pursue: namely, happiness or eudaimonia,

There is another layer to Aquinas’s theory – as a Christian theologian, Aquinas sought to connect the Aristotelian account of virtue to Christian theology and pronounced union with God to be the supreme final end and complete happiness. Bowlin is sympathetic to that aspect of Aquinas’s view, but the account of tolerance he puts forth can be assessed without reference to its Christian underpinnings, and it is Bowlin’s hope that secular authors would so assess it.

Bowlin also draws on Wittgenstein, whom he interprets through a Thomistic lens. According to Wittgenstein, the acceptance of certain moral and ontological commitments is part and parcel of linguistic competence. Thus, if I asked you what ‘justice’ means, and you told me it is the value embodied by an authoritarian dictator’s rule, I would conclude either that you are not answering my question in earnest or else that you do not know what ‘justice’ means.

I would have a similar reaction if I asked you for an example of a human vice and you said “tolerance.” A speaker and member of a moral community competent with the concepts of justice and tolerance would, on Bowlin’s view, see tolerance as a virtue and as a part of justice, and would see the precepts of justice – including its link to tolerance – as “the grammatical rules that govern our use of the concept” (256).

Bowlin’s book is thoughtful and the account put forth original.
Whatever else you may think of his proposal, you are unlikely to think it is “more of the same.” The book is also very well-written.
It immediately draws the reader in, as Bowlin starts with a fascinating personal anecdote involving a trip to rural Oklahoma, where Bowlin went to see a cockfight.

He wanted to know whether or not to vote for banning cockfights. He went thinking he would find the practice objectionable but tolerable yet left thinking it intolerable. He returns to this episode in the epilogue, where he reflects on the complexities of the situation, and on the perspective of the people whose traditional practices are pronounced unacceptable by the rest of society.

I found myself having a lot of sympathy with the attempt to understand tolerance from a virtue ethics perspective.
Tolerance must be a “natural virtue” at least in the following sense: there are and have been tolerant people in intolerant societies, and those people had a virtue.
For instance, in George Eliot’s novel Adam Bede, a female Methodist preacher named Dinah Morris provides comfort to a young woman guilty of infanticide when others are judgmental.

In fact, the young woman in question refuses to acknowledge her guilt throughout the trial, but she tells Dinah everything, because she has the intuitive feeling that Dinah won’t abandon her as others might. Indeed, Dinah helps cultivate tolerance in others, since most people at the time do not accept female preachers, but some change their minds about the issue as a result of interacting with the compassionate and virtuous Dinah.

The first thing I would note, however, is that an account of tolerance as a virtue of character is not a substitute for an account of tolerance as a societal value. In that sense, Bowlin’s proposal is not so much an alternative to the traditional view as an account of a slightly different (and perhaps unjustly neglected) aspect of tolerance.

What would tolerance as a societal value look like, on Bowlin’s reckoning? He does not exactly tell us, but I suppose the answer is this: our society will be tolerant (and in just the right ways) if we all try to cultivate the virtue of tolerance. And if we do, we will not feel resentment at the thought of tolerating the objectionable differences of others, for the truly tolerant act wholeheartedly and without resentment.

But this is where Bowlin’s departure from the traditional liberal view – which is, in one way, the book’s chief advantage – becomes a liability. Plainly, not everyone in society is interested in cultivating the virtue of tolerance, or any other virtue for that matter. A student of mine once wrote in an essay on Aristotle (paraphrasing), “I don’t know whether being virtuous is my main goal.

I don’t know whether it is one of my goals at all. I want to be successful and loved – those are my goals.” I have no way of knowing just how common this response is, but I would conjecture that it is not uncommon. And yet, we need to keep our society tolerant, and perhaps to make it more tolerant than it currently is, even if most of us are not interested in cultivating the virtue of tolerance.

The traditional liberal view seems on firmer grounds here: whatever is not forbidden by law is permitted and ought to be tolerated, even by those who would rather have others make different choices. A society can embody the value of tolerance even if many – perhaps most – of its members cannot get themselves to acquire the corresponding virtue.

I have no doubt that there may be societies where, say, homosexuality is illegal but there are people who not only tolerate a plurality of sexual orientations but also shield homosexuals from legal prosecution We cannot, however, rely on the individual virtue of individual people.

We need norms – both formal and informal – that prohibit discrimination. Toleration is too important to the peace and prosperity of society to be left up to individual virtue. A second problem, I think, is Bowlin’s definition of tolerance as a particular kind of response – namely, patient endurance – to objectionable difference.

Tolerance may be required even when another’s choice is not truly objectionable. There are different reasons why this may be so. For instance, a person may do something that would be irritating to most others, but the kind of behavior may not be voluntary, as when a spouse snores while sleeping.

Second, we may find that another’s taste grates on us – for instance, a graduate student at the Arts Academy may find the Kincaid painting hanging in the living-room of the apartment she’s rented so cloying that looking at it is painful.
Yet surely a Kincaid painting is not truly objectionable – that is, not objectionable in a moral sense.

There is a final point I wish to make here. I found Bowlin’s account slightly too flattering to the reader. He often invites us to imagine tolerating this or that, as a virtuous person would. But he never invites us to imagine that someone tolerates us,

For me, the knowledge that some tolerant people may be patient with me without my knowing it, refraining from telling me that some behavior of mine is irritating to them, is a key motivation in my attempt to be tolerant in turn.
Consider again Bowlin’s example involving his teenage son.
It seems to never occur to Bowlin that it may be just as difficult for a teenage son to listen to the music his parents play as it is for them to listen to his.

Thomas Schelling made this point once: Our chamber music annoys the teenager as much as her rap music bothers us. We rarely ask our neighbors what color they would like us to paint our houses. Some of us smoke and used to inflict disagreeable or toxic substances on others in elevators; some of us quit and chew gum, which may smell as bad as cigarette smoke.

Is patience the strongest virtue?

Is patience a virtue or a gift?

Patience is a Virtue but Perseverance is a Gift from God.

Rosemarie Basco