Q. "We get virtue through good families and good friendships." What exactly does that mean? Could you elaborate?
A. One American writes that a good society is one that makes it easy to be good; i.e. a virtuous society is one that makes it easy to be virtuous.
Unfortunately for us, our society is one that makes it easy to be bad: to lie, to be unfaithful, to not be punctual, to excuse or justify my wrong-doing, to seek my own comfort ahead of others, to be impure, etc.
Self-evaluation: am I a good family member... a good friend? Do I make it easy for others around me to be good and virtuous? Do others around me - in my family or among my friends - do they find it easier to be punctual, to be cheerful, to be honest, to be pure, to be obedient, to be industrious, to be sober, to be elegant, to be orderly, to be just, to be temperate, to be humble, to be magnanimous, to be pious, to be generous, etc?
If not, then you are NOT a good spouse or daughter or son or brother or friend. There are no 3 ways about it.
Q. But how exactly does a friend or a family member help another to grow in virtue?
A. First is through prayer for them (every day, by name). Second, through my own personal example (in all these virtues). Third, through correcting them (when they lower the standards). Lastly is through details of service (especially those small ones that attract zero attention).
So then again: it you do not do these, then you are NOT a good spouse or daughter or son or brother or friend. There are no 3 ways about it.
23rd August 2015