Somebody much wiser than I am says: "Virtue
consists, not in abstaining from vice, but in not desiring it.". It
does make a lot of sense, and would definitely make the burden of guilt
much lighter. However, my nature somehow rebels such wisdom, though at
the same time, admitting it's wise. For me however, impossible to
practice.
I
also feel that restraining or abstaining from vice is, in my
argumentative thinking, in itself a virtue. It's much harder to desire
to do something desperately yet able to decide not do it, than not
having desired to do it at all in the first place. Where is the virtue
then if you have never wanted to do this 'something', whatever it is?
I
am impulse by nature, and rebellious (sometimes, not always) to
certain rules and regulations set by others. My actions are guided,
encouraged or imposed by my own judgement of right or wrong, and most
of all by my own conscience.
I
am glad to say that I have, so far, not having indulged much in vices I
shouldn't have, or ones that make others suffer. But, that's not to
say I have not thought about certain things or actions decided by many
people as vice. Such occasional thoughts, some entertain or nourish my
mind, others help me to exercise my self discipline and conscious
control. To keep me on the strict and narrow so to speak.
That's virtue too, isn't it? I would surely like to know what others think about this.
