Significance of Virtue and vice
Virtue and vice are central concepts in various philosophical and religious traditions, highlighting the dual aspects of human morality. Virtue embodies good deeds and moral righteousness, while vice signifies wrongdoing and moral corruption. Different traditions, including Buddhism, Jainism, and Dharmashastra, explore these concepts, emphasizing their impact on karma and ethical behavior. Ultimately, virtue leads to positive outcomes and happiness, whereas vice is associated with negative experiences and moral decline, reflecting the essential struggle between moral goodness and wickedness in human life.
Synonyms: Morality, Righteousness, Goodness, Integrity, Sin, Immorality, Wrongdoing, Depravity, Wickedness, Corruption
In Dutch: Deugd en ondeugd; In Finnish: Hyve ja pahe; In Spanish: Virtud y vicio; In German: Tugend und Laster; In Malay: Kebajikan dan maksiat; In Swedish: Dygd och last; In French: Vertu et vice
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Virtue and vice'
In Buddhism, virtue and vice represent moral qualities impacting karma, distinguishing good deeds from wrongdoing, and reflecting the moral attributes of rulers, emphasizing a balance between commendable traits and potential misdeeds.
From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Purvapranidhana Sutra
(1) The moral qualities and actions that either align with or go against Buddhist teachings, influencing the karma of individuals.[1]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) Moral qualities attributed to the kings, where the text highlights the contrast between good traits and potential wrongdoings.[2]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) The dual aspects of human morality where virtue represents good deeds and behaviors, while vice signifies wrongdoing or immoral actions.[3]
Hindu concept of 'Virtue and vice'
In Hinduism, virtue and vice define moral qualities that dictate ethical behavior. Virtue represents positive actions leading to pleasure and growth, while vice encompasses negative actions resulting in pain, influencing one's karma and overall spiritual journey.
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) Moral qualities that are considered good or bad, respectively, which arise from the Conjunction of the Self with the Mind.[4] (2) Concepts that characterize moral qualities or traits, likely assessed in terms of their role as efficient causes.[5] (3) Virtue and Vice are discussed as examples that do not qualify as Immaterial causes due to lacking recognized causal efficiency towards producing the specific qualities of the Self.[6] (4) The moral qualities that influence the nature and outcomes of the actions of living beings.[7] (5) The qualities associated with Dharma and Adharma, respectively, that determine the nature of the soul's contact with the mind, thus affecting effort.[8]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)
(1) The moral qualities accumulated through actions motivated by attachment and aversion.[9] (2) Concepts representing moral qualities that contribute to the nature of impurities and the state of one's knowledge, with virtue associated with positive outcomes and vice with negative consequences.[10] (3) The moral qualities of actions that determine their positive (virtue) or negative (vice) effects.[11] (4) Moral quality or character that influences how one perceives an external object, eliciting feelings of pleasure or pain.[12] (5) Moral concepts where virtue refers to positive qualities and behaviors, while vice refers to negative or immoral traits.[13]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) The two-fold nature of human actions that dictate the state of bondage or liberation of the soul.[14]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) The moral concepts that differentiate good from bad actions, crucial for understanding the cycle of life and salvation.[15] (2) Concepts related to moral behavior, with indications that these may be produced by actions rather than existing inherently.[16] (3) The moral qualities or behaviors that dictate a person's ethical standing; Virtue represents goodness while Vice signifies moral corruption.[17] (4) The two opposing moral qualities, where virtue represents moral good and vice represents moral bad.[18] (5) Concepts of moral correctness versus wrongdoing, central to ethical discussions in Vedic and other religious texts.[19]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The dual concepts of moral righteousness (virtue) and immoral behavior (vice) discussed throughout the text.[20] (2) Concepts that Yudhishthira discusses in relation to moral goodness and wrongdoing, stating neither can be devoid of consequences.[21] (3) Moral qualities that define the good and bad actions of individuals, heavily influencing their karma.[22] (4) Opposing moral principles that are eternal and absolute, capable of exchanging aspects, particularly in seasons of distress.[23] (5) The contrast between moral uprightness and Kicaka’s immoral actions, reinforcing the central theme of dharma in the narrative.[24]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) Moral concepts learned through scriptures, symbolizing the ethical dimensions acquired through education.[25] (2) These opposing concepts represent moral qualities considered as good (virtue) and bad (vice), and their understanding relies significantly on the presence of Speech.[26]
From: Katha Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary
(1) Moral qualities that dictate what is good (virtue) and what is bad (vice), contrasting actions that adhere to or deviate from ethical principles.[27]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) Moral concepts that are merged into the understanding of Cinmatra, indicating that all qualities exist within it.[28]
From: Mundaka Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary
(1) The dual concepts of moral righteousness and wrongdoing that are overcome through knowledge.[29]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)
(1) the eternal conflict represented by the gods (virtue) and demons (vice), depicting the moral struggle inherent in existence.[30]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) Moral qualities that signify good (virtue) and bad (vice) behavior.[31]
From: Tirukkural (Thirukkural)
(1) The dichotomy of moral behaviors, where 'virtue' encompasses actions that should be done, and 'vice' consists of actions to be avoided.[32]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) Moral concepts that are explored throughout the narrative, influencing the destinies of various characters.[33]
Jain concept of 'Virtue and vice'
In Jainism, virtue and vice symbolize moral concepts of good and bad behavior, serve as categories distinguishing morality, and represent the fluctuating states of moral goodness versus wickedness within an evolving ethical landscape.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) The contrasting states of moral goodness and wickedness that shift as the moral landscape declines.[34] (2) Moral concepts that represent good and bad behavior, which are categorized as forms of expression without true substance.[35]
From: Sutrakritanga (English translation)
(1) The moral categories distinguishing good behaviors from bad behaviors.[36]
The concept of Virtue and vice in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Virtue and vice" encapsulates the moral spectrum of goodness and wickedness, exemplified in Bhasa's portrayal of Duryodhana, emphasizing complex ethical themes beyond simplistic moral dichotomies.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The ethical principles representing moral goodness and wickedness respectively in human behavior.[37] (2) Themes explored in Bhasa’s characterization of Duryodhana, showing complex moral dimensions rather than black-and-white judgments.[38]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) The contrasting concepts, the ideas of which have evolved from the idea of the manifold, which subside as one advances towards oneness, according to the text.[39]