July 31, 2003
Antakolouthia
"No virtue is a virtue by itself. True virtue requires the balancing of opposites. For example, honesty without compassion can lead to cruelty."
More examples can supposedly be found in "The Future of the Body".
Examples of virtues can be found in "The Roman Virtues."
Here's one I just made up: "humor without gravity can lead to inappropriateness."
Personal Virtues
These are the qualities of life to which every Citizen (and, ideally, everyone else) should aspire. They are the heart of the Via Romana — the Roman Way — and are thought to be those qualities which gave the Roman Republic the moral strength to conquer and civilize the world. Today, they are the rods against which we can measure our own behavior and character, and we can strive to better understand and practice them in our everyday lives.
Auctoritas: "Spiritual Authority" The sense of one's social standing, built up through experience, Pietas, and Industria.
Comitas: "Humor" Ease of manner, courtesy, openness, and friendliness.
Clementia: "Mercy" Mildness and gentleness.
Dignitas: "Dignity" A sense of self-worth, personal pride.
Firmitas: "Tenacity" Strength of mind, the ability to stick to one's purpose.
Frugalitas: "Frugalness" Economy and simplicity of style, without being miserly.
Gravitas: "Gravity" A sense of the importance of the matter at hand, responsibility and earnestness.
Honestas: "Respectibility" The image that one presents as a respectable member of society.
Humanitas: "Humanity" Refinement, civilization, learning, and being cultured.
Industria: "Industriousness" Hard work.
Pietas: "Dutifulness" More than religious piety; a respect for the natural order socially, politically, and religiously. Includes the ideas of patriotism and devotion to others.
Prudentia: "Prudence" Foresight, wisdom, and personal discretion.
Salubritas: "Wholesomeness" Health and cleanliness.
Severitas: "Sternness" Gravity, self-control.
Veritas: "Truthfulness" Honesty in dealing with others.
July 29, 2003
Forbidden surgery
My lunch neighbor was reading a newspaper today and saw that some Kennedy died. "Oh, isn't that the one that they gave a lambadomy to?" she exclaimed to her lunch companion.
Yes- the lambadomy- the forbidden brain surgery.
July 15, 2003
Totalitarian regimes
Because I can, I am going to coin the word "totaliban", which I suppose is a bad pun about the group that America used to rally over. Don't blame me, my subconscious came up with it. (Or, if you're a Tor Norretranders fan, "blame 'me', but don't blame 'I'.")
July 14, 2003
July 12, 2003
You can't get there from here
A person visiting my blog got here by asking Jeeves, "can you give me some information on a pill or machine that has not been created yet?"
Poor Jeeves. He didn't have a chance.