Defining Charlotte...Virtue

Virtue

Origin

Middle English vertu, virtu, from Anglo-French, from Latin virtut-, virtus = manly strength, manliness, excellence; virtue, from vir = man —First Known Use: 13th century

I felt compelled to study the word virtue after reading Tending the Heart of Virtue by Vigen Guroian.  According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, virtue is the good result that comes from something; morally good behavior or character.   I find it ironic that virtue stems from the Latin vir, meaning man.  Is man virtuous?! 

Virtue has two distinct meanings in the King James Bible.  It was formerly often used in the now obsolete sense of "manly power," "valor," "efficacy".  Virtue was also used in the sense of a mighty work, a miracle.  

I love this reference to virtue in 2 Peter 1:5-8

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Charlotte's words...

Virtues in which Children should be Trained.–- One more point: parents should take pains to have their own thoughts clear as to the manner of virtues they want their children to develop. Candour, fortitude, temperance, patience, meekness, courage, generosity, indeed the whole role of the virtues, would be stimulating subjects for thought and teaching, offering ample illustrations. One caution I should like to offer. A child's whole notion of religion is 'being good.' It is well that he should know that being good is not his whole duty to God, although it is so much of it; that the relationship of love and personal service, which he owes as a child to his Father, as a subject to his King, is even more than the 'being good' which gives our Almighty Father such pleasure in His children.  (Vol. 3, School Education, p. 136)