"Virtue is the health of the soul."
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I'm not sure where I read this; I was positively sure it was a quotation from one of my devotional books, but alas, I can't find it. When I looked it up online, I found that it was referenced by Nietzsche in one of his works, with it's origin being cited as coming from Ariston of Chios
(see #176 here).
I'm not familiar with either of these historical figures; I only know I really took to this "definition" of virtue. It makes me think about how as humans, most of us (at least at some point or another) are concerned with our physical health and that of our loved ones. Do you realize how many doctor appointments we have and how many vaccines we receive by the time we're only 5 years old? Our parents also make sure we're "healthy" intellectually, school being what fills our days from the age of 5--in fact, it's a legal requirement for parents to make sure their children attend school or are home-schooled until their teen years.
But, what about our spritual health--the health of our
souls--isn't that more important than everything else? We make sure we go to the dentist and the doctor and the dermatologist and the gym; and we keep up with our shoolwork, some of us even choosing to obtain a college degree or even one or more advanced degrees; and we read oodles of books and magazines and articles, but somehow the Bible is just too thick of a book to get all the way through (that is, if we even know about it at all).
Shouldn't we make sure to have regular check-ups with the Great Physician? There is a disease called sin, and the Vaccine we need to protect ourselves from it is Jesus. Shouldn't we endeavor to learn what's really important from the Teacher and to read the only Book which was written by the Author of life?
God is the only One who is completely virtuous (Mark 10:18), and any virtue (i.e., righteousness--at least, that's how I'll translate it at this point), we humans possess is a gift from Him through trusting in Him alone for salvation (though we are participators in the refining fire (Philippians 2:12).
The word "virtue" is a little different to me than the word "righteousness." When I hear it or read it, it evokes more of a feeling--more of a spiritual evocation than something doctrinal or "religious." I also believe that, for women in particular, the word has shadowings (either faint or well-defined) which hearken to the issue of a pure lifestyle. So, I guess you could say that when I think of the concept of virtue, I think of godliness, but with its streams flowing from the female mystery in particular, from that which is hidden.
Interestingly enough, in some Bible translations, "virtuous" is one of the words which is used in praise of The Proverbs 31 Woman. It's also used to describe a godly wife in five translations of Proverbs 12:4 and in The Message's translation of Titus 2:5. Ruth is deemed virtuous, as is Solomon's love in the HCS translation of the Song of Songs (verse 6:9).
The word is used of both men and women in the GW translation of Ecclesiastes 7:16 and in the Message's translation of Galatians 2:17.
But, surprise, surprise, it's also used of men, though only in a very small scattering of four verses (from a very small pool of two translations); it's used of David in 1 Samuel 16:18 (YLT); by Solomon to denote a worthy man in 1 Kings 1:52 (YLT); of Simeon in the book of Luke (WYC); and to delineate one of the qualities male church leaders should possess in 1 Timothy 3:2 (WYC).
As for the word "virtue," I'll note that it's also used of both men and women.
Take special note of the following verses: in Psalm 21:13, Matthew 22:29, and 1 Corinthians 2:5 (all WYC) it's used of the Lord; in Matthew 5:28 (MSG) and 5:32 (BBE) it's used in Jesus' teaching on sexual sin (the former in reference to men and women and the latter to women only); in some translations it's used to denote things which are worthy of being thought on in Philippians 1:8; in 2 Peter 1:5, it's included in a list of things with which a Christian should supplement their faith (quite a few translations employ it); it's even used in five translations of Mark 5:30 to describe the "power" that goes out of Jesus when a woman touches him; oddly enough, it's used again of supernatural "power" from God (this time in reference to Sara's conception) in Hebrews 11:11 (WYC).
In The MacArthur Study Bible, the note on the word "virtuous" in Proverbs 31:10 (NKJV) simply reads, "Excellent." It also cross-references Ruth 3:11; the note there (again, specifically concerning the word "virtuous") reads,
"In all respects, Ruth personifies excellence (cf. Prov. 31:10). This same language has been used of Boaz ('a man of great wealth' or more likely 'a man of valor' in 2:1), thus making them the perfectly matched couple for an exemplary marriage."
The only other note I can find in this study Bible which concerns the subject at hand is the one for 2 Peter 1:5 (concerning the word "virtue"):
"First in Peter's list of moral excellencies is a word that, in classical Greek, meant the God-given ability to perform heroic deeds. It also came to mean that quality of life which made someone stand out as excellent. It never meant cloistered virtue, or virtue of attitude, but virtue which is demonstrated in life. Peter is here writing of moral energy, the power that performs deeds of excellence."
For some very interesting commentaries on the etymology of the word "virtue," take a look-see at these online, parallel ones (scroll down a bit past the list of translations):
Proverbs 12:4
Proverbs 31:10
Ruth 3:11
2 Peter 1:5
Mark 5:30
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In any case, I think the quotation at the beginning of this post is elegant and clarifying, as are the following:
Virtue, the strength and beauty of the soul,
Is the best gift of Heaven: a happiness
That even above the smiles and frowns of fate
Exalts great Nature’s favourites: a wealth
That ne’er encumbers, nor can be transferr’d.
~ Armstrong: Art of Preserving Health. Bk. IV. L. 284. ~
*I like this depiction of virtue--as a gift, a possession (a heavenly one which cannot be bought). As for the injunction of "Nature," I'm not sure about that, as we all know human nature and divine nature run counter to each other in Christian thought.
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Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set.
~ Bacon: Essays. Of Beauty. ~
*This word picture is lovely. It depicts the stripping away of everything except that which is best and most essential--everything else is "icing on the cake," so to speak.
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Well may your heart believe the truths I tell;
’Tis virtue makes the bliss, where’er we dwell.
~ Collins: Eclogue I. L. 5. Selim. ~
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Only a sweet and virtuous soul,
Like season’d timber, never gives;
But though the whole world turn to coal,
Then chiefly lives.
~ Herbert: The Church. Vertue. ~
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Vilius argentum est auro virtutibus aurum.
(Silver is less valuable than gold, gold than virtue.)
~ Horace: Epistles. I. 1. 52. ~
*Reminiscent of the book of Proverbs
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Oderunt peccare boni virtutis amore.
(The good hate sin because they love virtue.)
~ Horace: Epistles. I. 16. 52. ~
*Romans 12:9
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To Virtue’s humblest son let none prefer
Vice, though descended from the conqueror.
~Young: Love of Fame. Satire I. L. 141. ~
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Know then this truth (enough for man to know)
“Virtue alone is happiness below.”
~ Pope: Essay on Man. Ep. IV. L. 309. ~
*I.E., a relationship with the Lord!
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Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied;
And vice sometimes by action dignified.
~ Romeo and Juliet. Act II. Sc. 3. L. 21. ~
*The oxymorons of virtue and vice, as set forth by the Bard himself ☺
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Virtue that transgresses is but patched with sin; and sin that amends is but patched with virtue.
~ Twelfth Night. Act I. Sc. 5. L. 52. ~
*Another like the previous
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Yet the age was not so utterly destitute of virtues but that it produced some good examples.
~ Tacitus: Annales. Bk. I. 2. ~
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What, what is virtue, but repose of mind,
A pure ethereal calm, that knows no storm;
Above the reach of wild ambition’s wind,
Above those passions that this world deform
And torture man.
~ Thomson: Castle of Indolence. Canto I. St. 16. ~
*Colossians 3:1-2
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The glory of riches and of beauty is frail and transitory; virtue remains bright and eternal.
~ Sallust: Catilina. I. ~
*Reminiscent of the book of Job
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His virtues walked their narrow round,
Nor made a pause, nor left a void;
And sure th’ Eternal Master found
The single talent well employed.
~ Samuel Johnson: On the Death of Mr. Robert Lovett. ~
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God sure esteems the growth and completing of one virtuous person, more than the restraint of ten vicious.
~ Milton: Areopagitica. A Speech for the Liberty of Unlicensed Printing. ~
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Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt,
Surprised by unjust force, but not inthralled;
Yea, even that which mischief meant most harm
Shall in the happy trial prove most glory.
~ Milton: Comus. L. 589. ~
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Or, if Virtue feeble were,
Heaven itself would stoop to her.
~ Milton: Comus. L. 1,022. ~
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Virtue may choose the high or low degree,
’Tis just alike to virtue, and to me;
Dwell in a monk, or light upon a king,
She’s still the same belov’d, contented thing.
~ Pope: Epilogue to Satires. Dialogue I. L. 137. ~
*2 Corinthians 5:12
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The soul’s calm sunshine and the heartfelt joy,
Is virtue’s prize.
~ Pope: Essay on Man. Ep. IV. L. 168. ~
*That is the prize while on earth; this is the ultimate prize.
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O let us still the secret joy partake,
To follow virtue even for virtue’s sake.
~ Pope: Temple of Fame. L. 364. ~
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Virtue’s a stronger guard than brass.
~ Edmund Waller:
Epigram Upon the Golden Medal. L. 14. ~
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Mea virtute me involvo.
(I wrap myself up in my virtue.)
~ Horace: Carmina. III. 29. 55. ~
*I'm reminded of putting on the full armor of God, though in this case it's more like a blanket woven of heavenly thread instead ☺
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And virtue, though in rags, will keep me warm.
~ Dryden: Imitation of Horace. Bk. I. Ode XXIX. L. 87. ~
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Assume a virtue, if you have it not.
~ Hamlet. Act III. Sc. 4. L. 160. ~
*Not just any virtue--assume Virtue itself--Christ!
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And lastly, let this never be said of me:
Virtue she finds too painful an endeavour,
Content to dwell in decencies forever.
~ Pope: Moral Essays. Ep. II. L. 163. ~
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Verses:
"For the lawgiver shall give a blessing, they shall go from virtue to virtue."
~Psalm 84:7 (Douay-Rheims)~
"In whatever day I shall inwardly call Thee, hear Thou me; Thou shalt multiply virtue in my soul."
~Psalm 138:3 (WYC)~
"We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next."
~Romans 5:3-4 (MSG)~
"To you that be troubled, rest with us in the showing of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with angels of his virtue."
~2 Thessalonians 1:7 (WYC)~
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*Image reblogged
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