Virtue, as defined by Merriam-Webster means ” a particular moral excellence,” cultivated by one’s inherent desire to do what is right, what is good,  and what is just.

It is the earnest drive to choose humanity over baser instincts.

One who strives to do such can not help but to manifest his or her virtue. It is divine nature.

A virtuous nature cannot be masked.

Virtues are like resplendent jewels, their  brilliance creates an  inner light that drives beauty in  action.

A virtuous nature is the embodiment of a set of character traits that drive a person to perform acts of good will.

It is the essence of good that rests in a person.

Unfortunately, our world is sorely in need of virtue.

As a result,  self-interest and materialism drive destruction.

To rise again as  individuals, as a collective, we must return to a commitment to live a life driven by the following;

• commitment
• compassion
• consideration
• cooperation
• courtesy
• humility
• modesty
• moderation
• loyalty
• justice
• tact
• responsibility
• respect
• trust
• honor
• integrity

As one can be hard-pressed to find many of these in abundance.

This is truly sad.

These attributes are the drivers of our humanness.

If this be true, would not the loss of virtue man’s inherent nature, also indicate the loss of one’s humanity.

One must not look far to find an answer to such a question.

Failing marriages, increasing crime rates, an explosion of hate crimes and brutality, neglect, the decline of  justice and rightful governance all result from a loss of virtue at the individual and collective level.

Humans have lost their virtue.

There is no longer a drive for moral excellence or human relevance.

As we replace our virtue we accelerate our  devolvement.

If you were to trace the origins of these bitter fruits you will find at the poisoned root of all of these; a loss of commitment, compassion, consideration, cooperation, courtesy, humility, modesty, moderation, loyalty, justice, tact, responsibility, respect, trust, honor, and integrity.

There is but one solution.

To let go of our vices.

Strive to live our lives in moral excellence.