more from this thinker     |     more from this text

Single Idea 20239

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / a. Virtues ]

Full Idea

Hesiod reckons envy among the effects of the good and benevolent Eris, and there was nothing offensive in according envy to the gods. ...Likewise the Greeks were different from us in their evaluation of hope: one felt it to be blind and malicious.

Gist of Idea

Unlike us, the early Greeks thought envy was a good thing, and hope a bad thing

Source

report of Hesiod (works [c.700 BCE]) by Friedrich Nietzsche - Dawn (Daybreak) 038

Book Ref

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Dawn (Daybreak) (v 5)', ed/tr. Smith, Brittain [Stanford 2011], p.31

A Reaction

Presumably this would be understandable envy, and unreasonable hope. Ridiculous envy can't possibly be good, and modest and sensible hope can't possibly be bad. I suspect he wants to exaggerate the relativism.

The 40 ideas with the same theme [qualities considered to make a person excellent]:

20239 Unlike us, the early Greeks thought envy was a good thing, and hope a bad thing [Hesiod, by Nietzsche]
7363 The virtues of the best people are humility, maganimity, sincerity, diligence, and graciousness [Kongzi (Confucius)]
3015 The virtue of man is thoughtful foresight of future events [Chilo, by Diog. Laertius]
7808 Socrates made the civic values of justice and friendship paramount [Socrates, by Grayling]
2126 A good community necessarily has wisdom, courage, self-discipline and morality [Plato]
23399 Each correct feeling relies on an underlying virtue [Mengzi (Mencius)]
5251 Gods exist in a state which is morally superior to virtue [Aristotle]
12276 Justice and self-control are better than courage, because they are always useful [Aristotle]
12277 Friendship is preferable to money, since its excess is preferable [Aristotle]
5964 Zeno says there are four main virtues, which are inseparable but distinct [Zeno of Citium, by Plutarch]
8765 All is vanity, saith the Preacher [Anon (Ecc)]
6004 The cardinal virtues are theoretical (based on knowledge), and others are 'non-theoretical' [Hecato, by Dorandi]
22241 Don't fear god or worry about death; the good is easily got and the terrible easily cured [Philodemus]
6285 Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth [Jesus]
13556 Every night I critically review how I have behaved during the day [Seneca]
13562 It is shameful to not even recognise your own slaves [Seneca]
5948 The good life involves social participation, loyalty, temperance and honesty [Plutarch]
7903 The six perfections are giving, morality, patience, vigour, meditation, and wisdom [Nagarjuna]
6030 Each part of the soul has its virtue - pleasure for appetite, success for competition, and rectitude for reason [Galen]
18447 There are practical, purificatory, contemplative, and exemplary virtues [Porphyry]
6826 Allah rewards those who are devout, sincere, patient, humble, charitable, chaste, and who fast [Mohammed]
4016 Descartes makes strength of will the central virtue [Descartes, by Taylor,C]
21482 The five Chinese virtues: pity, justice, politeness, wisdom, honesty [Schopenhauer]
21481 Buddhists wisely start with the cardinal vices [Schopenhauer]
20382 The four virtues are courage, insight, sympathy, solitude [Nietzsche]
20240 The Jews treated great anger as holy, and were in awe of those who expressed it [Nietzsche]
20244 Christianity replaces rational philosophical virtues with great passions focused on God [Nietzsche]
20272 Honesty is a new young virtue, and we can promote it, or not [Nietzsche]
20274 The cardinal virtues want us to be honest, brave, magnanimous and polite [Nietzsche]
14809 All societies of good men give a priority to gratitude [Nietzsche]
7151 Courage, compassion, insight, solitude are the virtues, with courtesy a necessary vice [Nietzsche]
4510 A path to power: to introduce a new virtue under the name of an old one [Nietzsche]
4515 Modesty, industriousness, benevolence and temperance are the virtues of a good slave [Nietzsche]
4516 Many virtues are merely restraints on the most creative qualities of a human being [Nietzsche]
18291 Virtues can destroy one another, through jealousy [Nietzsche]
22469 Some virtues imply rules, and others concern attachment [Foot]
7676 If we are essentially free wills, authenticity and sincerity are the highest virtues [Berlin]
4274 The modern virtues are courage, prudence, wisdom, temperance, justice, charity and loyalty [Scruton]
20209 For the virtue of honesty you must be careful with the truth, and not just speak truly [Zagzebski]
23149 If generosity systematically turned recipients into parasites, it wouldn't be a virtue [Driver]