What Virtues Inspire You?

[PhoenixRising]

I'm curious about what traits/virtues in others inspire you. What virtues do you idealize? What people have inspired you in your life, and what is it specifically that you've admired about them? What traits have you desired to embody yourself and why?

Spoiler

I've always been inspired by people who are unafraid of reality, and who have a desire to see things for what they really are. Especially those who are skeptical and question their own ideas and those of others. Curiosity also always inspires me, as well as mastery of a skill that takes keen attention. I admire intelligence, and am inspired by people who see things in a new and different way. I'm inspired by those who make new discoveries, or are creative in a unique way. I also admire people who demonstrate humble compassion. Those who see themselves as equal with other human beings, and can empathize with others. Who care, help and teach out of an authentic desire to do so. I admire elegance of character, those who articulate, move and live with intentionality and grace.

I think at present, the person I'm most inspired by is Carl Sagan. As a scientist, he made multiple discoveries in astronomy that clarified our understanding of our solar system and the cosmos beyond. He sparked humanity's progress by helping to found a greater interest in the colonization of Mars - something we're beginning to see the results of with projects such as Mars One. As a spokesman for the scientific community, he inspired public interest in science. He communicated what were usually very technical concepts in a considerate and eloquent way that was easily understood. His articulation describes the splendor of the universe in a way that honors skepticism, but also verges on poetry. He taught millions of people via professorship and the media, and encouraged questioning and critical thinking in his students. What probably inspires me most about him, though, is the excited curiosity with which he approached the world. His pursuance of scientific endeavors spawned from an authentic and passionate desire to understand the universe.

(I've been greatly inspired by Albert Einstein, Carl Jung and Friedrich Netzsche as well.. but there's too much to write about these three and it's late where I am o.o)

Traits I've desired to embody myself would be all of those listed above.. plus higher physical/emotional stamina >.> I suppose the simplest answer as to why I desire to embody most of these is because they are the virtues I admire the most. I have had the desire to become involved in science and help make new discoveries for a long time.. however, I don't have a degree in any of the sciences as of yet, so I don't know if it will ever happen. The stamina is because I tend to become depleted of energies (esp. emotional) in a relatively short amount of time. I'd like to be able to invest more into projects and interactions without becoming overtaxed.

 

[NormannTheDoorman]

Determination and emotional resilience.


Or just big balls. Big balls made of degenerate matter extracted by hand from the remnants of a once majestic space behemoth.

 

[Vrecknidj]

Curiosity, compassion, honesty, integrity, kindness, equipoise.

 

[Anktark]

Ingenuity and thoughtfulness. I don't care if they are shown by serial killer, philanthropist, mailman, monkey or all of the above, I admire it.

 

[AngelOne]

Compassion, and quick thinking.

I have a tendency to forget that people have feelings, which hasn't always worked out so well. Now I strive to emulate those that are compassionate because life just goes better that way.

I always wanted to be the kind of person that could think up many solutions to a given problem and that could see the big picture easily. I like the kinds of conversations that develop between people who are able to think this numbly and flexibly.

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

Resillience, Courage and Wisdom.

The most inspiring people were the ones that followed their own paths, often as pioneers, visionaries that were determined enough to make their ideas a reality. Old people, that accept what they have accomplished and are in a "harmony" with their enviroments, ready to disappear when the moment comes. Those who faced with tiny and bad odds didn't give up on what they did or who they were, even without a prospect of reward.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Honesty of the sort mentioned in the OP. To dare see things for what they are in the world and in yourself without resorting to stupid things such as Nihilism and Religion.

 

[Spirit]

creative determination is my favorite




I just make it up as i go...

 

[kris]

• I appreciate people who act with intention and conviction, but I don't like them if I find their motives boring or malicious.
• I like people who have a good sense of intrinsic vs. extrinsic values.
• Not really a virtue, but I appreciate some forms of disassociation and eccentricity.
• I like perceptiveness and sensitivity but not mushiness.
• I like ambivalence and nebulousness.
• Curiosity is important.
• I appreciate people with broad perception and ability to deal with abstraction.
• Independence is also of value in the sense that I don't like people who conform their views to mine just because I am mouthy. If I help change someone's perspective, they help change mine or there is natural agreement that is great, but people who lack the ability to openly disagree make me uneasy.
• The most important virtue, of course, is liking the same foods as I like, and a willingness to share dishes at restaurants.

I don't need all those things, but I like them.

 

[someoneshady]

I admire people who are good at connecting with other people. Someone who can motivate others to put in all their effort into something.
Assertiveness is also a virtue I really admire. It's a virtue I lack. The third virtue that inspires me most of all is determination. Seeing a determined person makes me want to do everything I can to succeed in what I'm trying to accomplish.

 

[Auburn]

heart-based

humility.. as a disposition against the enormity of the unknown/Universe
contriteness.. as a disposition to (their) human limitations
sobriety.. not nonchalant about life. silently seeking *intensity* yet humbly knowing the absurdity/arbitration of such a thing, thus choosing simply to live this way out of internal alignment with the flow of their body. being self-aware of this would birth a bit of an ironic humor toward their own decision -- which they default to if ever they feel they're taking things *too* seriously.
resilience.. standing one's own, having a self-owned heart. this has many many manifestations, but as an example: resilience enough to never need to blame another for one's emotional reactions, nor to impose expectations upon others. And to be able to face realities that are emotionally inconvenient or hurtful and not cave in under pressure.
complex compassion.. not generic kindness, but deeper kindness that intelligently considers who the person is and what might truly aide them in their life-goal
non-compassion.. having no compassion of the generic sort, admitting instead to not having a genuine interest/care for another, than to feign some sort of broadly-prescribed emotional aide
soulfulness.. having a long-nurtured emotional world, a type of aged wisdom of heart. maturity. a sort of earthiness that is felt when around a person due to the realism with which they treat ethical issues.
frailty.. this one may seem paradoxical considering the resilience virtue, but it actually stems directly from it. having that stability of heart allows for said heart to be more open and receptive to reality without the need of callouses. being freed from fear, this heart would be at liberty to cry under the stars, or express things just as they're felt without needing to sensitively consider environments.
​

others

a level of fantastical immersion.. an affinity for myths and tales and lessons learned from them, as well as the nurturing of a curiosity into the unconscious.
appreciation for nuance and subjectivity.. rather than a strictly empirical attitude that considers subjective experience as invalid, or information attained in a form too ambiguous to be of any use.
appreciation for ambiguity.. always proactively delving into it, instead of avoiding it, with the aim of formulating some sense from it. being a pioneer of new knowledge from firsthand experience... trusting one's own senses more than well-known authors of names.


​

to name a few o.o

 

[Auburn]

appreciation of the 'dark'.. the shadow in humanity.
creativity.. the ability to translate ideas/images/thoughts into reality
conceptual precision.. as well as contrast in general
ability to deliver dramatic impact.. such as the geniuses behind heart-wrenching film. this takes a keen understanding of 'the flow' of emotions in people.
femininity.. in both males and females. by femininity what i really mean is an attitude that is gentle, graceful/meticulous in movement, non-brutish. depending more on tact than force, in everything from their manner of walking, appearance, to their approach toward situations.

traits/virtues i don't admire
​

brutishness
exaltation of the 'light'
conceptual fuzzyness in framework
lack of comprehension of the flow-of-emotion
boastfulness
claiming oneself to be 'worth' something.. or to be special in some particular way. if someone finds you special then that's their perception; all we can do is be ourselves and that will resonate with whom it must.
soullessness.. nonchalance or disinterest toward one's inner world. the considering of spiritual cultivation as meh. absence of sacredness toward elements of life.
reluctance to entertain unconventional ideas.. general disinterest toward unpopular topics.
projection/blaming.. lack of ownership of one's inner reactions to life.
fear.. and the consequent need to protect oneself with defense mechanisms due to lack of inner resilience. an inability to emotionally embrace and see reality because it feels threatening

to name a few more o.o

 

[Absurdity]

Grace under pressure.

appreciation of the 'dark'..
exaltation of the 'light'

What do these mean?

 

[Auburn]

The dark is hard to define precisely, but I guess I'd roughly define the dark as the bliss in pursuing, without restrictions, the more shrouded cravings of the human unconscious. (Indirect) methods of self-interest that place one's desires first ..at the exclusion of consideration of others. It is freedom.

I find that the tendency to demonize the dark (and exalt light) stems from fear of the dark. The unconscious. To me there's more cowardice in the exaltation of light than there is virtue. The dark isn't scary once you look at it for what it is.

While most all deliberation ultimately leads to self-interest, when self-interest doesn't benefit others, then others retaliate by demonizing that action (ironically due to their own selfishness and lack of gain from it). But selfishness for its own sake isn't wicked once you get past the stigma others give you for it, by realizing they're doing nothing different than you by selfishly wishing you'd not do that for yourself alone.

'Light' is another form of self-service that works by retaining favor, both in a social sense and to ones own self. It gives self-esteem, a (subtle) feeling of righteousness, peace of mind, and the support of a community.

Light is interesting and necessary; in the extreme, light is the consideration of the Collective to the point of not considering oneself distinct from it. Darkness would then be the exclusive consideration of the Self.

 

[Jennywocky]

That is all very informative, Auburn. Thank you for sharing that.

I tend to have issues with the veneration of "Light" as well. There has to be some kind of balance involved, or we lose our potency as agents.

 

[Transcendent]

True Virtue is Wisdom.

 

[PhoenixRising]

The dark is hard to define precisely, but I guess I'd roughly define the dark as the bliss in pursuing, without restrictions, the more shrouded cravings of the human unconscious. (Indirect) methods of self-interest that place one's desires first ..at the exclusion of consideration of others. It is freedom.

I find that the tendency to demonize the dark (and exalt light) stems from fear of the dark. The unconscious. To me there's more cowardice in the exaltation of light than there is virtue. The dark isn't scary once you look at it for what it is.

While most all deliberation ultimately leads to self-interest, when self-interest doesn't benefit others, then others retaliate by demonizing that action (ironically due to their own selfishness and lack of gain from it). But selfishness for its own sake isn't wicked once you get past the stigma others give you for it, by realizing they're doing nothing different than you by selfishly wishing you'd not do that for yourself alone.

'Light' is another form of self-service that works by retaining favor, both in a social sense and to ones own self. It gives self-esteem, a (subtle) feeling of righteousness, peace of mind, and the support of a community.

Light is interesting and necessary; in the extreme, light is the consideration of the Collective to the point of not considering oneself distinct from it. Darkness would then be the exclusive consideration of the Self.

This is very well put. The dichotomy of the singular Self and the collective Self has been represented in many aspects of the human drama. Most clearly, I think, in religion (Christianity vs Satanism, etc.) I wonder, though, if you consider darkness/explicit self-interest as more of a path to freedom than a more balanced view where consideration of others is seen as part of consideration for the Self as well?

A thought - if fear is something you do not appreciate, then wouldn't an exclusive focus on the specific self be undesirable to you? Too much focus on the individual self often leads to fear, of the desire to protect the self from others. But a more balanced view, where others are embraced as an extension of the self, tends to nurture a fearless demeanor. If others are seen as "Self" then they are more non-threatening, and if collaborative desires are embraced for one's own benefit, then there is no fear of other's desires overtaking one's own.

 

[TBerg]

Curiosity. All other virtues depend upon it.

 

[Auburn]

This is very well put. The dichotomy of the singular Self and the collective Self has been represented in many aspects of the human drama. Most clearly, I think, in religion (Christianity vs Satanism, etc.) I wonder, though, if you consider darkness/explicit self-interest as more of a path to freedom than a more balanced view where consideration of others is seen as part of consideration for the Self as well?

I think it depends on the person and where their sense of freedom is achieved. How much self-focus vs collaborative-focus is most healthy and sustainable for a person is something that is different for each. But in general I'd say balance is important, yes, wherever that balance may be for them. (In my particular case, my bias/appreciation tilts a little more toward individual-focus due to my nature, which is in some way already disassociated from others and inward-turned.)

I think that collaborative interest is necessary and useful, but only insofar as it truly is a beneficial consideration to one's Self. Far too often it is meme-based and advocated through anecdotal wisdom. Breaking free of the misconception that pure Light is what we all ought to strive for, allows one to find that right balance -- rather than over-esteeming toward light and losing individuation. Note that I said I dislike the 'exaltation' of light, and I like the 'appreciation' of dark. In other words, I dislike it when light is put on a pedestal, whereas I think both ought to be evenly appreciated. =)

A thought - if fear is something you do not appreciate, then wouldn't an exclusive focus on the specific self be undesirable to you? Too much focus on the individual self often leads to fear, of the desire to protect the self from others. But a more balanced view, where others are embraced as an extension of the self, tends to nurture a fearless demeanor. If others are seen as "Self" then they are more non-threatening, and if collaborative desires are embraced for one's own benefit, then there is no fear of other's desires overtaking one's own.

Well, I'd say too much focus on the individual self may be a *result* of fear, definitely. (The desire to distance due to fear of others) It doesn't necessarily follow suit in reverse. It's possible to be almost wholly an individual self without being motivated by fear.

This is why I also value 'Frailty' - which I noted would be a sort of uncalloused quality, due to being resilient enough at heart to be one's self without fear. If there isn't enough resilience of heart, then self-focus is probably a defense mechanism.

Fear can be addressed either by defending oneself against others, or gathering peace of mind & security from having a stable support-group. In both cases, the fear isn't gone - it's just being addressed. A fragile heart may feel entirely at peace given an entirely nurturing environment, but the absence of fear is contingent on the presence of that environment. Take it away and you got a scared heart again.

Whereas a heart that is resilient/healthy has peace of mind by default. The absence of fear comes from a stable sense of self cultivated personally. What I'm proposing is that absence of fear altogether makes it so that self-focus and collaborative-focus can be addressed properly.

 

[Fukyo]

I think the virtues that inspire me the most and that I would like to strive towards are courage, strength, authenticity and perseverance.

I greatly respect and might even find inspiring the ability of individuals to not fall prey to restrictive, stupidly and overly cynical, distrustful, self protective worldviews despite having negative experiences. (eg. nihilism, misogyny). I suppose one might call this emotional resilience, but to me it forms a more distinctive category.

I admire those who are able to throw themselves into the fray time and time again.

 

[redbaron]

I tend to think that all great things stem ultimately from authenticity. So I guess it's the virtue that most inspires me.

 

[BigApplePi]

I'm finding this a tough Q to answer. Perhaps hypocrisy and misogyny could inspire me but I'm not sure. I'd have to think of a special case.

I think love inspires me. What about that? Not so hard to figure. Yes. Love. Definitely.

 

[Puffy]

I tend to think that all great things stem ultimately from authenticity. So I guess it's the virtue that most inspires me.

I would be inclined to agree, authenticity sprang to mind when I saw this thread, though I don't think it's complete in itself. One I'd group a lot of things under is something that I don't think is intrinsic to authenticity and which I think is also necessary in complement to it: a respectful attitude towards otherness or alterity.

Creation might require an authentic expressive drive, but ultimately has to balance one's own wants with the wants of others, expressing or willing with the ability to receive feedback and criticism, an open, adaptive attitude towards change and circumstance, etc - the poet as both master and servant, shaping and shaped by fate.

I also agree with Fukyo's post.

 

[redbaron]

I would be inclined to agree, authenticity sprang to mind when I saw this thread, though I don't think it's complete in itself. One I'd group a lot of things under is something that I don't think is intrinsic to authenticity and which I think is also necessary in complement to it: a respectful attitude towards otherness or alterity.

Creation might require an authentic expressive drive, but ultimately has to balance one's own wants with the wants of others, expressing or willing with the ability to receive feedback and criticism, an open, adaptive attitude towards change and circumstance, etc - the poet as both master and servant, shaping and shaped by fate.

I also agree with Fukyo's post.

That would be the non-lazy version of my post I suppose. Authenticity itself has many forms and nuances, and to me things like courage/strength/perseverance ultimately stem from authenticity. Which can be applied to both positive and negative forms of expression.

I agreed with Fukyo's post too

 

[EyeSeeCold]

It helps if I see it the other way around, as what traits people have that disappoint me.

Partiality, including favoritism, prejudice, and willful ignorance.

I respect people who can separate a time for their tribe and a time for the global community, who are able to see past inaccurate and superficial stereotypes, and who have the discipline to investigate the whole situation rather than being lazy in their comfortable perspective.

Insincerity, including ingratiation, conformity and social obligations.

This one I probably take to an irrational or unhealthy extent as common social practices that people do I find hard to participate in because I know it wouldn't be coming from a sincere feeling. But I respect people who are not only sincere & straightforward about their beliefs & attitudes, I also respect those who are socially capable while still being true to themselves and not manipulative.

Conformity is not the same as cooperating imo. Conformity is deceptively altering your interests, personality, or behavior to make another think you're something you're not to fit in or whatever. Cooperating is agreeing to work with someone who may be different than you.



Like others I also respect courage but not even necessarily life threatening aspects, just normal everyday situations one might encounter. Just having the dignity and assertiveness to speak your mind, and the willingness to put yourself on the line to help another out. With that said I also respect a sense of goodwill / morality.

 

[Evolutionmine16]

heart-based

humility.. as a disposition against the enormity of the unknown/Universe
contriteness.. as a disposition to (their) human limitations
sobriety.. not nonchalant about life. silently seeking *intensity* yet humbly knowing the absurdity/arbitration of such a thing, thus choosing simply to live this way out of internal alignment with the flow of their body. being self-aware of this would birth a bit of an ironic humor toward their own decision -- which they default to if ever they feel they're taking things *too* seriously.
resilience.. standing one's own, having a self-owned heart. this has many many manifestations, but as an example: resilience enough to never need to blame another for one's emotional reactions, nor to impose expectations upon others. And to be able to face realities that are emotionally inconvenient or hurtful and not cave in under pressure.
complex compassion.. not generic kindness, but deeper kindness that intelligently considers who the person is and what might truly aide them in their life-goal
non-compassion.. having no compassion of the generic sort, admitting instead to not having a genuine interest/care for another, than to feign some sort of broadly-prescribed emotional aide
soulfulness.. having a long-nurtured emotional world, a type of aged wisdom of heart. maturity. a sort of earthiness that is felt when around a person due to the realism with which they treat ethical issues.
frailty.. this one may seem paradoxical considering the resilience virtue, but it actually stems directly from it. having that stability of heart allows for said heart to be more open and receptive to reality without the need of callouses. being freed from fear, this heart would be at liberty to cry under the stars, or express things just as they're felt without needing to sensitively consider environments.
​

others

a level of fantastical immersion.. an affinity for myths and tales and lessons learned from them, as well as the nurturing of a curiosity into the unconscious.
appreciation for nuance and subjectivity.. rather than a strictly empirical attitude that considers subjective experience as invalid, or information attained in a form too ambiguous to be of any use.
appreciation for ambiguity.. always proactively delving into it, instead of avoiding it, with the aim of formulating some sense from it. being a pioneer of new knowledge from firsthand experience... trusting one's own senses more than well-known authors of names.


​

to name a few o.o

Reading through, I noticed "non-compassion." Knowing compassion to be a good characteristic generally, I was a little confused. After reading your explanation, all was made clear. I completely agree. If a friendship is not genuine, there is no reason for it to exist at all. A friendship existing just to fulfill someone's compassionate nature is a horrible thing. Personally, I don't think I would want to be a reason for someone to feel good about themselves.


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[DaDaMan]

Courage
Compassion that is not mushy but rational practical and intelligent and motivated by a sense of justice for all.
A strong will
Cutting intelligence
Unflinching resolve
A rich complex and varied inner life
Self awareness - an awareness and mastery of ones own ego

Famous people that have inspired me include Che Guevara, Thoreau, Schopenhauer, Marcus Aurelius, Erich Fromm , Lao Tzu