The

Master List

of Virtues

and Vices

Compiled for the Community

by Lion Goodman

Version 3.2 2016

© Copyright 2012-2016 by Lion Goodman

 Virtues and Vices
People say that there are many sins and virtues, but I think there is only
one sin – to let one breath go without being conscious of it.
-- Hazrat Sayyed Abu Hashim Madani, Sufi Master

A virtue is a habit or quality that allows the bearer to succeed at his/her/its

purpose. The virtue of a knife, for example, is sharpness; among the virtues of a
racehorse is speed. Thus to identify the virtues for human beings, one must have
an account of what the human purpose is. This is a list of virtues compiled from
many sources. Please feel free to edit and add to this document if you see
omissions or errors. Write to me: lion@beliefcloset.com. Consider this a
community resource. Share it freely, modify it freely. See the Creative
Commons License information on the last page.

Eudaimonia is a state variously translated from Greek as well-being, happiness,

blessedness, and in the context of virtue ethics, human flourishing. Eudaimonia
in this sense is not a subjective, but an objective, state. It characterizes the
well-lived life, irrespective of the emotional state of the person experiencing it.
According to Aristotle, eudaimonia is the proper goal of human life. It consists of
exercising the characteristic human quality – reason – as the soul's most proper
and nourishing activity. Aristotle, like Plato before him, argued that the pursuit
of eudaimonia was an activity that could only properly be exercised in the
characteristic human community—the polis or city-state (we would call it our
community). For the virtue theorist, eudaimonia describes that state achieved
by the person who lives the proper human life, an outcome that can be reached
by practicing the virtues.

More than 650 Virtues are listed. Three lists follow the Master List of Virtues:
The Master List of Vices (more than 350), The Master List of Values (© Values
Technology, Inc.), and The VIA Classification of Character Strengths (©
VIACharacter.org). Numerous resources for further study are also included.

How to Use This List

Life presents us, at every moment, opportunities to practice the Virtues: How
you choose to act or respond to what presents itself to you. Here are
suggestions for practicing them more consciously:
§ Circle the Virtues you want to practice during the coming year, and post
them visibly so you can be reminded of them every day.
§ Create a set of “Virtue Cards” and pick one each day to practice.
§ Review the list of Vices, recognize which ones you have been practicing in
your life, and practice the opposite Virtue for one full week.
§ Look up in a dictionary any words that are unfamiliar, or which you can’t
define, including the derivation, usage, and examples.
§ Meditate on one Virtue each day.

I wish you well on your journey to a more virtuous life of eudaimonia.

 The Master List of Virtues
A authenticity citizenship
ability authority civic-mindedness
abundance autonomy civility
acceptance awareness clarity
accountability awe class
accuracy cleanliness
achievement B coincidence
acknowledgement balance collaboration
acting on convictions beauty comfort
activism being true to oneself commitment
adaptability belief common sense
adoration belonging communication
adventurous benevolence communion
advice (generous with) benignity community
affection bliss companionship
agility boldness compassion
aging gracefully bravery competence
alertness brilliance completeness
allowing composure
altruism C comprehension
amazement calm compromise
ambition (philotimia) candor concentration
anger at injustice capability confession
anticipation capacity to love confidence
apology capacity to be loved congruence
appeasement care connection
appreciation carefulness conscience
appreciation of beauty caring consciousness
appreciation of caution consecration
excellence celebration conservation
approbation celibacy conservatism
appropriate knowledge centered consideration
appropriate conduct certainty consistency
approval chance contemplation
art change contentment
assertiveness chaos continuity
assumptions character contribution
atonement charity control
attention charm conviction
attentiveness chastity cooperation
attitude cheerfulness cooperation
audacity chivalry correctness
austerity choice courage
courteousness effort (doing one’s forgiveness
courtesy best) fortitude
creativity elegance frankness
credibility elevation freedom
critical thinking eloquence friendliness (philia)
culture emotion friendship
curiosity empathy frugality
empowerment fulfillment
D emptiness fun
daring encouragement
death (acceptance of) endurance G
decency energy gallantry
decisiveness enjoyment generosity
dedication enlightenment genius
deliberation enthusiasm gentleness (praotes)
delight epiphany genuineness
dependability equality giving
desire equanimity glory
destiny esteem goals
detachment eternal godliness
determination etiquette good speech
devotion to virtues excellence goodness
devotion to others excitement grace
dignity expansion graciousness
diligence experience grandeur
diplomacy expertise gratefulness
discernment exploration gratitude
discipline expressiveness gravitas
dis-creation (of what extravagance gravity
is no longer needed) growth
discretion F guidance
discovery failure (allowing for)
disillusion fairness H
dissolution faith happiness
diversity faithfulness hard-working
dreams family harmlessness
drive farsightedness harmony
duty fearlessness healing
feeling health
E fidelity heaven on earth
eagerness finesse helpfulness
earnestness finishing what’s started helping others
ecstasy flexibility holiness
education flow honesty
effectiveness focus honor
efficiency forbearance hope
endurance foresight hopefulness
heroism judgment (good) mindfulness
hospitality judiciousness minessence (organiz-
humanity justice ing into higher order
humility systems)
humor K miraculousness
kind speech mistakes (allowing for)
I kindness moderation
idealism kinship modesty
ideals knowledge morality
identities (ease of motherhood
shifting) L motivation
illumination laughter
imagination leadership N
impartiality learning niceness
impeccability leisure nobility
imperfection (allowing letting go non-assumption
for) liberalism non-covetousness
inclusion liberality non-duality
incorruptibility (eleutheriotes) non-separateness
independence liberty non-violence
individuality light-heartedness not taking personally
industriousness listening nurturance
influence logic nurturing
ingenuity love nostalgia
initiative love of learning
inner exploration loving-kindness O
inner peace lovingness obedience (to higher
innocence loyalty principles)
innovation luck objectivity
insight luxuriating obligations
inspiration (fulfillment of)
instinct M open-heartedness
integrity magic open-mindedness
intelligence magnificence openness
intensity (megaloprepeia) optimism
interdependence majesty order
interest in the world making a difference orderliness
intimacy management organization
intuition manners originality
inventiveness mastery overcoming adversity
investigation maturity (and impediments)
invincibility meaning
irony mellowness P
merit pacifism
J mercy paradise
joy methodical passion
joyfulness mildness patience
patriotism progress remembering
peace promises remembrance
peacefulness promptness remorse
penitence propriety renunciation
pensiveness prosperity repentance
perceptiveness protection reputation
perfection protest research
perseverance prudence resilience
persistence punctuality resisting temptations
personality purification resolution
perspective purity resourcefulness
persuasion purity of heart respect
philanthropy purpose respectability
piety purposeful work respectfulness
pity purposefulness responsibility
planning responsiveness
play Q restraint
playfulness quality reverence
pleasure quality evaluation right action
pluralism quality improvement right concentration
poise quest right effort
politeness question asking right intention
positive bias quiet right livelihood
potency right mindfulness
potential R right speech
power (right use of) radiance right view (Buddha’s
practice rapture Noble Eightfold Path)
practicality rationality right use of power
pragmatism realism right use of will
praise reality righteousness
prayer realization rights (respect for)
prayerfulness reason risk taking
precision rebirth rituals
preparedness receptivity romance
presence reciprocity roots
preservation recognition ruggedness
principles reconciliation
privacy rectitude S
privilege redemption sacredness
potency refinement sacrifice
privacy reflection sadness
proactivity relationship safety
probity relaxation salvation
problem-solving release sanity
productivity releasing satiety
professionalism reliability satisfaction
profit religiosity secrecy (proper use)
security spiritual insight tithing
seeing spirituality tolerance
self-awareness spontaneity tradition (respect for
self-centeredness sportsmanship & maintenance of)
self-confidence stability training
self-control steadfastness tranquility
self-discipline stick-to-it-iveness transcendence
self-esteem straightforwardness transcendental wisdom
self-examination strength transformation
self-expression stress (“good”) transition
self-improvement striving trust
self-possession study trustfulness
self-regulation style trustworthiness
self-reliance success truth
self-respect succor truthfulness (aletheia)
self-restraint suffering (with
self-righteousness understanding) U
self-trust support of others unconditional love
selflessness surrender understanding
sense of beauty suspension of unity
sense of wonder judgment universality
sensibility suspension of belief unselfishness
sensitivity suspension of disbelief
sensory pleasure sweet-tempered V
sensuality sympathy valor
sentimentality synergy value
serendipity systemization values
serenity variety
seriousness T verbal acuity
service tact (epidexia) versatility
sharing tactfulness victory
shyness talent vigor
silence taste virility
simplicity teaching others virtue
sincerity team-spirit vision
skepticism teamwork vitality
skill temperance volition
smartness tenacity vulnerability
sobriety tenderness
social intelligence thankfulness W
social responsibility thoroughness wealth
solidarity thoughtfulness welcoming
solitude thrift well-being
soul evolution thriving whimsical
soulfulness time wholeheartedness
speed timeliness wholeness
spirit timelessness wholesomeness
will (proper use of) workmanship youthfulness
willingness worship
wisdom worth Z
wittiness (eutrapelia) zealousness
wonder Y zest
work yes!-ing
 The Master List of Vices
Note that any of these vices can, under certain circumstances, be neutral or
even positive virtues. These are words used to describe behaviors and
actions which tend NOT produce harmony, goodness, happiness, or
eudaimonia, but rather their opposites.

Any virtue applied to excess can turn into a vice. (Too much medicine is
toxic, for example. Too much love can become co-dependence. To much
peace can become passivity.)

Many of the vices listed below could be used as a virtue if appropriately

applied to specific circumstances, people, timing, and lessons required for
growth and evolution. Many teachers have used what is called “crazy
wisdom” to awaken their students, for example. Because great wisdom is
required to use any vice in a virtuous manner, vices are best avoided.

Whatever you practice becomes stronger. If you are not actively practicing
one or more virtues, you are probably practicing one or more vices.

A avarice compromise
absolutism awkwardness con artist
abstemiousness conceit
abuse B concupiscence
addictions baseness condescension
adultery bigotry conflict
adversity blame conformity
aggression blasphemy confusion
agitation boastfulness conniving
alcoholism boredom contempt
alienation brutality contradiction
aloofness burn-out contrariness
ambition controlling
anarchy C control over others
anger calculation corruption
angst callousness cowardice
animosity calumniation criticism
annoyance capriciousness cruelty
anxiety celebrity cunning
apathy censoriousness cursing
approval-seeking chaos cynicism
arrogance chauvinism
attachment complacency D
automaticity complaining death
debasement elitism gossip
deceit embarrassment greed
deception emptiness grief
definition enmity grudges (holding on to)
deification enviousness grumpiness
delusion envy guilt
denial escapism
dependency evil H
depravity exaggeration hard-heartedness
depression excess harassment
derision excessiveness hate
desecration exclusion hatred
desire for fame exclusivism haughtiness
desolation expectations hell
despair exploitation heresy
destitution extravagance hiding
detachment extremism hiding the truth
deviance high-handedness
diminishment F hoarding
disappointment failure hostility
disapproval faithlessness humiliation
discord falseness hurt
disempowerment fame (seeking after) hyperbole
disgracing fanaticism hypocrisy
dishonoring fantasy hysteria
disproportionate fashion
disregard fatalism I
disrespect faults ignorance
disruption fear illusion
dissatisfaction feigning imbalance
dissembling fight imitation
distortion fixations immodesty
dogmatism folly impatience
dominance forgetfulness imperfection
domination forgetting imperiousness
doubt frailty impertinence
drudgery fundamentalism imposture
dysfunctionality furtiveness impudence
futility inattentiveness
E inconsistency
eagerness for G indecency
power gambling indecision
eccentricity garrulity indifference
effrontery gaudiness indigence
egoism glamour individualism
egotism gloominess ingratitude
ejection from group gluttony inhibitions
insanity maliciousness pain
insatiability malignancy panic
insecurity manipulation passion
insidiousness masochism passive-agressive
insolence materialism passivity
insult meanness patronizing
interrupted enthu- mediocrity pensiveness
siasm meekness penury
intemperance melancholy persuasion
interruption mercilessness perversion
intolerance misery pessimism
intimidation miserliness pestering
intransigence misrepresentation pettiness
irony mistakes pomposity
irascibility money (focus on) poverty
irrationality moodiness power over another
irresponsibility murder prejudice
irritation presumption
isolation N pretense
naiveté pretentiousness
J narcissism pride
Jealousy narrow-mindedness privilege
jokester nastiness problems
judgmental neediness procrastination
justification negativity prodigality
neurosis profit-as-sole-value
K nihilism profligacy
know-it-all projection on others
killing O promiscuity
killing joy obedience (without promises un-kept
question) punishment
L objectification
laziness obsession Q
lecherousness obstinacy quarrelsomeness
lethargy opportunism quitting
licentiousness oppression
lies ostentatiousness R
loneliness over-analyzing racism
loss over-consumption rage
lust over-identification rancor
luxury overly dutiful rape
lying overly responsible rapaciousness
rapacity
M P rashness
machismo pacifism (in the recklessness
madness face of the re- refusal
making wrong quirement to act) regret
reification sensationalism torture
rejection separateness tragedy
remorse separation treason
resentment sexual lust trickster
resignation shame tyranny
revenge shamelessness
rudeness shyness U
righteousness sin ugliness
ridicule skepticism unkindness
righteousness sloth unreason
rigidity snobbery unruliness
risk-aversion somberness unyielding
romantic fantasy sorrow
rudeness spendthriftness V
rumor spreading spite vanity
ruthlessness spoiling venality
stagnation verbosity
S stinginess verminification
sacrifice stress vices
sadism stubbornness vindictiveness
sadness stupidity violence
sarcasm suffering vulnerability
scandal mongering sullenness
secrecy superficiality W
seduction superiority wastrelness
self-centeredness suspicion weakness
self-denial withdrawal
self-destructive- T worry
ness taboos wrath
self-doubt temper tantrums
self-hatred terror Z
self-importance theft zealotry
selfishness thing-ification
self-pity timidity
self-righteousness torment
 The Master List of Values
The concept of values is closely linked to virtues. We assert that Virtues are
characteristics and qualities of the Soul, the unique spiritual essence of who you are.
Values are more akin to preferences. They are prioritized wants and desires – a goal we
want to achieve, an object we want to possess, or a state we want to be in. We value
whatever we consider to be good – because when we have it, achieve it, receive it, or
give it to another, we feel good, better, best. In many cases, what we want is purely
imaginary. We picture having a thing, or experience, and how we will feel when we have
it – so we desire that experience. Once we actually have it, or achieve it, the experience
often does not match up to what we imagined and expected.

Values can be contrasted, compared, and measured by asking this question: Which do
you want (value) more: X or Y? In the human world, we can divide aspects of
humanness into the triad of Be, Do, and Have. Values represent the having function.

When we want to obtain or achieve something, we behave in specific ways that enable
us to get it. The actions we take represent the doing function. There are many ways of
taking action that can result in our getting what we want. We could, for example, use our
Virtues to guide our behavior, or we could use our Vices. Two people may place the
same value on having a lot of money, yet they could go about obtaining it in completely
different ways. One could embody her virtues (such as persistence, wisdom,
assertiveness, and care), and thus achieve her goals of having what she values: a lot of
money. The other person could achieve the same aim by embodying her vices (such as
greed, theft, and manipulation), and achieve having the same amount of money.

Part of the problem with these distinctions is the fact that we talk about qualities in many
different ways. It’s built into our language. As Aristotle pointed out, virtues are the
qualities that bring goodness and happiness to oneself, others, and our community.
Thus, they are valued. However, not everything we value is also a virtue. Virtues are
qualities you can embody and act from, as a human person in the world. We can value
certain aspects or qualities of the world, or of our society, such as diversity, equality or
justice, but it is more difficult to cultivate them as virtues. These values require the
cooperation of others, or the society as a whole, to be achieved. You can act personally,
of course. If you wanted to cultivate equality in your life, you can see and treat other
people as equal. However those people may not return the favor. Society as a whole
may not express that value. You can only do what you can do in your own life by making
those values your own personal expressions – which we would then identify as virtues.

Here’s another example: We may value collaboration, and we can act collaboratively in
order to create it on our team. However, real collaboration requires the cooperation of
others, who are playing the same game. Otherwise, we don’t get what we want. Many of
the difficulties in life come because we have very different values, wants, and desires
than other people do, and different people go about obtaining them in different ways –
ways that may conflict with our own values or virtues.

In the political realm, George Lakoff, professor of Linguistics and Cognitive Sciences,
has identified the very different core values of Republicans and Democrats in the United
States. He explains why we have such difficulty communicating across this values-
chasm. Read his book, “Don’t Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the
Debate.” Or visit http://georgelakoff.com to learn more.

Below is a chart to clarify the difference between Virtues (the Be function), Behaviors
(the Do function), and Values (the Have function). And because any virtue can become
a vice when done to an extreme, I have also identified the shadow function or vice that
could come from over-reaching or becoming extreme in each virtue.

Virtue Behavior Value Shadow or

Concept, Idea, or Examples of actions
philosophical stance one required to achieve or
comes from, which guides receive the thing wanted or
our behavior and the good desired (Doing
decisions; what we stand- function)
for (Being Function)
Love Acting loving to
others with
kindness, care,
compassion
Peace Meditation;
contemplation;
accepting others;
non-judgmental
openness
Knowledge Studying; learning;
practice; expanding
perspectives
Health Getting enough
sleep; regular
exercise; eating well
Persistence Continuing in the
face of difficulty,
blocks or resistance
Appreciation Appreciating others,
one’s own efforts
and circumstances,
and the Universe
Vice
The desired thing or state; The over-reach function of
what we want to receive, extreme doing, associated
achieve, have, or give with going too far while
(Having function) trying to achieve the
desired state
Feeling loved by Codependence;
others; giving love to addiction to love or
others sex
Feeling at peace; Passivity; judgment
having peaceful of self or others,
relations with others
Having knowledge; Righteousness;
knowing how to do, know-it-all; closed
be and have; mindedness
gaining wisdom and
understanding
Being healthy and Addiction to
free in your body; exercise;
staying well; righteousness; and
optimizing self- judgment of others
healing
Achieving one’s Not receiving
goals; not giving up feedback; going
down the wrong
path
Being appreciated; Not changing
feeling of gratitude anything that needs
for what is to be changed
 Lists of Values
The list below is copyrighted by Values Technology, Inc. VTI's “ValuesID” software
helps make values explicit. Using the well-researched and independently validated
values measurement instrument based on Hall-Tonna Values Theory, organizations can
understand the collective values of employees, leadership and the organization. The
unique values framework that Brian Hall developed (starting in the early 1970s) anchors
the company. This framework was validated in the mid 1980s while Dr. Brian Hall was at
Santa Clara University. Visit www.valuestech.com for more information.

Abundance Loyalty/Fidelity
Administration/Control Macroeconomics
Authority/Honesty Majesty
Collaboration Management
Communication/Info Membership/Institution
Community/Personalist Minessence (Systematization and
Community/Supportive organization)
Competition Mission/Objectives
Complementarity Mutual Accountability
Control/Order/Discipline Mutual Obedience
Convivial Technology Obedience/Duty
Corporation/New Order Ownership
Courtesy/Hospitality Patriotism/Esteem
Decision/Initiation Pioneerism/Innovation
Design/Pattern/Order Prestige/Image
Detachment/Solitude Property/Control
Dexterity/Co-ordination Prophet/Vision
Duty/Obligation Quality/Evaluation
Economics/Profit Radiance
Economics/Success Reason
Education/Certification Relaxation
Education/Knowledge Research
Efficiency/Planning Rights/Respect
Endurance/Patience Risk
Equilibrium Ritual/Communication
Equity/Rights Rule/Accountability
Expressiveness/Joy Search/Meaning/Hope
Friendship/Belonging Self Assertion
Generosity/Compassion Sensory Pleasure
Global Justice Sharing/Listening/Trust
Grace Simplicity/Play
Growth/Expansion Social Affirmation
Health/Healing Support/Peer
Hierarchy/Order Synergy
Human Rights Technology/Science
Individualism Territory/Security
Interdependence Tradition
Justice/Social Order Transcendence/Solitude
Law/Guide Unity/Diversity
Law/Rule Unity/Uniformity
Leisure Wonder/Curiosity
Limitation/Acceptance Workmanship/Art/Craft
Limitation/Celebration
Additional Values that would be difficult to classify as Virtues:

Accomplishment Leadership
Achievement Learning
Adventure Liberty
Affection Logic
Ambition Longevity
Anticipation Making a Difference
Belonging Meaning
Challenge Money
Change Opportunity
Comfort Order
Community Originality
Connection Outcomes
Consciousness Passion
Improvement Peace
Delight Personal Growth
Desire Pleasure
Diversity Progress
Duty Prosperity
Elation Quality
Equality Quiet
Excitement Recognition
Experience Safety
Family Security
Guidance Style
Hard Work Teamwork
Influence Tradition
Innovation Variety
Investing
 The VIA Classification of Character Strengths

The VIA Institute uses the words character strengths to describe what we have
been calling Virtues. We appreciate their classification, so we include it here for
reference. The following information is from their website: www.viacharacter.org

VIA Institute is led by Christopher Peterson, Ph.D., and Martin Seligman, Ph.D., and funded by the
Mayerson Foundation, a team of 55 social scientists studied world religions, philosophies and psychology
looking for agreed-upon virtues. Dr. Peterson was the lead scientist of the development of the VIA
Classification, which is described in detail in Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and
Classification (Oxford University Press and American Psychological Association, 2004).

Examples of classic works studied included:

• Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judeo-Christian traditions.

• Virtue catalogs, including those by Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, Lao-Tze, Boy Scouts of
America, William Bennett, Benjamin Franklin, King Charlemagne, and Merlin.
• The work of psychologists including Thorndike, Erikson, Maslow, Greenberger, Jahoda, Ryff,
Thurstone, Cawley, Gardner.

Virtues are core characteristics valued by moral philosophers and religious thinkers. The VIA work-groups
found six virtues that emerged consistently from historical surveys, and endorsed across time and cultures.
These virtues are wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. Cross-cultural
research has found that these are universal and viewed as being grounded in biology through evolutionary
process and selected for aspects of excellence as a means of solving important tasks necessary for
survival of the species.

VIA’s work is about the core or essence of who we are as humans – our character strengths. These
positive, core characteristics of our personality are different from strengths of talent (innate abilities),
strengths of interest (what we like to do), strengths of skill (proficiencies we develop), and strengths of
resources (external supports). While each of these areas of strength are important, it is character strengths
that provide a pathway for developing each of these areas. For example, we use perseverance and self-
regulation to pursue a talent in music or sport, hope in developing a new skill for work, curiosity as we
explore our interest areas, and gratitude and kindness when we are tapping our resources. Also, it is our
strengths of character that we have to turn to when we lose resources, talents, and skills, or when we lose
interest in something.
 The VIA Classification of Character Strengths

1. Wisdom and Knowledge – Cognitive strengths that entail the acquisition and use of knowledge

o Creativity [originality, ingenuity]: Thinking of novel and productive ways to conceptualize and
do things; includes artistic achievement but is not limited to it
o Curiosity [interest, novelty-seeking, openness to experience]: Taking an interest in ongoing
experience for its own sake; finding subjects and topics fascinating; exploring and discovering
o Judgment & Open-Mindedness [critical thinking]: Thinking things through and examining
them from all sides; not jumping to conclusions; being able to change one's mind in light of
evidence; weighing all evidence fairly
o Love of Learning: Mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge, whether on one's
own or formally; obviously related to the strength of curiosity but goes beyond it to describe
the tendency to add systematically to what one knows
o Perspective [wisdom]: Being able to provide wise counsel to others; having ways of looking at
the world that make sense to oneself and to other people

2. Courage – Emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face
of opposition, external or internal

o Bravery [valor]: Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain; speaking up for what
is right even if there is opposition; acting on convictions even if unpopular; includes physical
bravery but is not limited to it
o Perseverance [persistence, industriousness]: Finishing what one starts; persisting in a course of
action in spite of obstacles; “getting it out the door”; taking pleasure in completing tasks
o Honesty [authenticity, integrity]: Speaking the truth but more broadly presenting oneself in a
genuine way and acting in a sincere way; being without pretense; taking responsibility for
one's feelings and actions
o Zest [vitality, enthusiasm, vigor, energy]: Approaching life with excitement and energy; not
doing things halfway or halfheartedly; living life as an adventure; feeling alive and activated

3. Humanity – Interpersonal strengths that involve tending and befriending others

o Capacity to Love and Be Loved: Valuing close relations with others, in particular those in
which sharing and caring are reciprocated; being close to people
o Kindness [generosity, nurturance, care, compassion, altruistic love, “niceness”]: Doing favors
and good deeds for others; helping them; taking care of them
o Social Intelligence [emotional intelligence, personal intelligence]: Being aware of the motives
and feelings of other people and oneself; knowing what to do to fit into different social
situations; knowing what makes other people tick

4. Justice - Civic strengths that underlie healthy community life

o Teamwork [citizenship, social responsibility, loyalty]: Working well as a member of a group or

team; being loyal to the group; doing one's share
o Fairness: Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice; not letting
personal feelings bias decisions about others; giving everyone a fair chance.
o Leadership: Encouraging a group of which one is a member to get things done and at the time
maintain time good relations within the group; organizing group activities and seeing that they
happen.

5. Temperance – Strengths that protect against excess

o Forgiveness & Mercy: Forgiving those who have done wrong; accepting the shortcomings of
others; giving people a second chance; not being vengeful
o Modesty & Humility: Letting one's accomplishments speak for themselves; not regarding
oneself as more special than one is
o Prudence: Being careful about one's choices; not taking undue risks; not saying or doing things
that might later be regretted
o Self-Regulation [self-control]: Regulating what one feels and does; being disciplined;
controlling one's appetites and emotions

6. Transcendence - Strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning

o Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence [awe, wonder, elevation]: Noticing and appreciating
beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in various domains of life, from nature to art to
mathematics to science to everyday experience
o Gratitude: Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen; taking time to express
thanks
o Hope [optimism, future-mindedness, future orientation]: Expecting the best in the future and
working to achieve it; believing that a good future is something that can be brought about
o Humor [playfulness]: Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people; seeing the
light side; making (not necessarily telling) jokes
o Religiousness & Spirituality [faith, purpose]: Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose
and meaning of the universe; knowing where one fits within the larger scheme; having beliefs
about the meaning of life that shape conduct and provide comfort

Copyright © VIACharacter.org (updated Oct. 23, 2008)

 LifeBook’s Master List of Virtues
http://mylifebook.com/blog/lifebooks-master-list-of-virtues/#comment-44950

Character determines our destiny, and virtues are the core essence of our character.

The more we recognize the impact that consciously practicing virtues has on our lives, the more we
open up to new possibilities, growth and greater joy and fulfillment.

It’s time to hand-select the virtues you are most committed to mastering.

Explore our Master List of Virtues below, and discover powerful new definitions for each of
them. In honor of the virtue of “order,” we’ve listed them in six main categories: Wisdom and
Knowledge, Courage, Humanity, Justice, Temperance and Transcendence.

Which virtues resonate most deeply with you at this point in your life?

Enjoy!

Wisdom and Knowledge

Cognitive strengths that entail the acquisition and use of knowledge.

Consciousness: The state or quality of awareness; having a sense of selfhood, and the executive
control system of the mind; the perception of what passes in one’s own mind; Originally derived from
Latin writings of the phrase conscius sibi, which translates literally as “knowing with oneself”, or in
other words “sharing knowledge with oneself about something.”
Creativity [originality, ingenuity]: Thinking of novel and productive ways to conceptualize and do
things; includes artistic achievement but is not limited to it.
Curiosity [interest, novelty-seeking, openness to experience]: Taking an interest in ongoing
experience for its own sake; finding subjects and topics fascinating; exploring and discovering.
Judgment & Open-Mindedness [critical thinking]: Thinking things through and examining them from
all sides; not jumping to conclusions; being able to change one’s mind in light of evidence; weighing
all evidence fairly and objectively.
Love of Learning: Mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge; relates to the strength of
curiosity but goes beyond it to describe the tendency to add systematically to what one knows.
Perspective [wisdom]: Being able to provide wise counsel to others; having ways of looking at the
world that make sense to oneself and to other people; Seeing and expressing more than one side of
an issue.

Courage
Emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition,
external or internal. (Side note: the word courage’s Latin root translates to “of the heart.”)
Assertiveness: A confident affirmation or declaration of a statement without need of proof; Affirming
your right to a point of view without either aggressively threatening the rights of another (assuming a
position of dominance) or submissively permitting another to ignore or deny your point of view.
Authenticity: The degree to which one is true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character, despite
external pressures.
Bravery [valor]: Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, discomfort or pain; speaking up for
what is right even if there is opposition; acting on convictions even if unpopular.
Perseverance [persistence, industriousness]: Finishing what one starts; persisting in a course of
action in spite of obstacles; “getting it out the door”; taking pleasure in completing tasks
Honesty [truthfulness, integrity]: Speaking the truth and presenting oneself in a genuine, sincere way;
being without pretense; taking responsibility for and honoring one’s true feelings and actions.

Humanity
Interpersonal strengths that involve tending and befriending others.

Acceptance: Assenting to the reality of a situation, recognizing a process or condition (often a

negative or uncomfortable situation) without attempting to change it, protest, or resist. The Latin root
of the word can be translated to “to find rest in.”
Compassion: Translates to “with one who suffers” in Latin; an empathetic reaction to the pains and
challenges of others; a desire to go out of one’s way to help.
Capacity to Love and Be Loved: Valuing close relations with others, in particular those in which
sharing and caring are reciprocated; being close to people; dissolving protective barriers and defense
mechanisms in order to become more open-hearted and create a greater capacity to love.
Kindness [generosity, nurturance, care, compassion, altruistic love, “niceness”]: A pleasant
disposition and genuine care for others; Doing favors and good deeds for others; effecting others in a
positive way; helping them; taking care of them.
Social Intelligence [emotional intelligence, personal intelligence]: Being aware of the motives and
feelings of other people and oneself; knowing what to do to fit into different social situations; knowing
what makes other people tick; being aware of the effect you have on others and seeking
benevolence.
Sincerity: Speaking and acting truly about one’s own feelings, beliefs, thoughts, and desires. Using
no hurtful deceit; thinking innocently and justly; Speaking truth.

Justice
Civic strengths that underlie healthy community life.

Teamwork [citizenship, social responsibility, loyalty]: Working well as a member of a group or team;
being loyal to the group; doing one’s share; feeling a sense of unity and dedication to a greater whole.
Fairness: Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice; not letting petty
feelings bias decisions about others; giving everyone a fair chance.
Leadership: Encouraging a group to get things done and at the same time, maintaining good
relations and mutual respect within the group; organizing group activities and seeing that they
happen; inspiring others to greatness, and ensuring their actions lead to positive, shared results.

Temperance
Strengths that protect against excess and encourage moderation and balance.

Forgiveness & Mercy: Forgiving those who have done wrong; accepting the shortcomings of others;
giving people a second chance; not being vengeful; releasing and cleansing oneself and others of
past wrongdoings.
Modesty: Letting one’s accomplishments speak for themselves; not regarding oneself as more
special than one is.
Patience: The level of endurance one has before negativity. Perseverance in the face of delay or
provocation without acting on negative annoyance/anger.
Prudence: Being careful about one’s choices; not taking undue risks; not saying or doing things that
might later be regretted.
Self-Regulation [self-control]: Regulating what one feels and does; being disciplined; controlling
one’s appetites and emotions. Resolving to do what one should, and performing without fail.
Silence: Speaking only when it may benefit oneself or others; avoiding trifling conversation;
observing and learning; cultivating the power of listening and receiving.
Order: Letting all things have a right place and time.
Frugality: Avoiding waste, lavishness or extravagance; using no more of something than is
necessary.
Cleanliness: Tolerating no uncleanliness in body, possessions, thoughts or environment.

Transcendence
Strengths that forge connections to the larger universe / the divine, and provide spiritual meaning.

Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence [awe, wonder, elevation]: The ability to find, recognize, and take
pleasure in the existence of goodness in the world; recognizing that which speaks to the best in us; being
raised up by awe or wonder.
Enthusiasm: Harboring an intense enjoyment, interest, or approval for life. Greek root that translates to
“possessed by God’s essence.”
Tranquility: A pleasing level of sensory input that involves no cognitive effort other than removing oneself
from an overcrowded mental space; not being disturbed by trifles; a restorative mental state and respite
from “directed attention.”
Gratitude: A feeling or attitude of deep acknowledgement of the blessings and benefits one has received;
an act of worshipping or praising one’s life in every circumstance.
Hope [optimism, future-mindedness, future orientation]: Expecting the best in the future and working to
achieve it; believing that a good future is something that can and should be brought about.
Humility: Recognition of self in relation to a god, acceptance of and submission to divine grace. Latin root
humus means “Earth,” humilis “grounded” or “from the Earth.”
Humor [playfulness]: Provoking laughter, amusement and fun; bringing smiles to other people; seeing the
light side; being playful and fun-loving; not taking things too seriously.
Religiousness & Spirituality [faith, purpose]: Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and
meaning of the universe; knowing where one fits within the larger scheme; having beliefs about the
meaning of life that provide comfort and purpose; seeing oneself as divinely created and limitless in
potential.
Zest [vitality, vigor, energy]: Approaching life with excitement and energy; not doing things halfway or
halfheartedly; living life as an adventure; feeling alive and activated as a human being.
 Copyright Statement

The original work is © Copyright 2009 - 2016 by Lion Goodman. This

copyright does NOT extend to material copyrighted by others.

This version is © Copyright 2016 by Lion Goodman. All rights are

reserved, except where previous publications or works were copyrighted by
others, or were in the public domain.

You are free to share, copy and distribute this work as long as it is kept
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 Sources and Resources
The Book of Positive Qualities: 988 Building Blocks for a Good Life: An
inspiring compendium of admirable traits to nurture self-improvement. Jim
Downs (1996, Warner Books). http://positivequalities.com/. Order his very
detailed Positive Qualities Chart. The book is out of print, so grab a used copy on Amazon.
This good man went even further than I did in building a master list.

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: www.Wikipedia.com; see Virtue and Vice

Wisdom Commons: www.wisdomcommons.org

Mapping Thinking: www.mappingthinking.com

Hall-Tonna Values Map: www.valuestech.com

Humanity Quest Values: www.humanityquest.com

Virtues Project International: www.virtuesproject.com

Virtue Science: www.virtuescience.com

VIA Classification of Character Strengths: www.viacharacter.org

The RIGHT Way by Dr. Mark Schillinger (Initiation and training for young
men): www.YMUW.org

Union of International Associations’ Human Values Online:

http://www.uia.be/sites/uia.be/db/db/x.php?dbcode=va&go=b&b=subject&ts
ub=8

Reflections on Robert Moore’s Work and Aristotelian-Thomistic Philosophy by

Thomas J. Farrell (tfarrell@d.umn.edu)
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Robert-Moore-s-Theory-Abou-by-
Thomas-Farrell-110718-802.html

“He who looks upon opposites as equals, who has risen above
duality, and thus freed himself from both vice and virtue, is a Yogi.
Verily, work done to perfection is Yoga. Yoga is skill in action.”

~ Bhagavad-Gita (Ch. 2, V. 50)