Single Idea 8097

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / b. Basis of virtue]

Full Idea

It would be difficult to be scorned and to live virtuously. We have need of support.

Gist of Idea

Virtue is hard if we are scorned; we need support

Source

Joseph Joubert (Notebooks [1800], 1800)

Book Reference

Joubert,Joseph: 'Notebooks', ed/tr. Auster,Paul [nyrb 2005], p.56


A Reaction

He seems to have hit on what I take to be one of the keys to Aristotle: that virtue is a social matter, requiring both upbringing and a healthy culture. But we can help to create that culture, as well as benefiting from it.