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Part 1

Virtue is like precious odors most fragrant when they are incensed or crushed (Singh, 11).

This means that some people’s characters are shaped after they go through hardships or punishments.

Is there a possibility when an individual may not change after they undergo hardships and punishments?

This is an aspect that portrays the uniqueness of all human beings.

The different behaviors that emerge after the change depict the commonness of all human beings.

Human beings will react to pain, either positively or negatively.

Beauty without virtue is like a rose without scent.

This means that beauty goes hand in hand with virtue.

The beauty of a human being lies in their moral excellence.

Human beings have different behaviors.

These behaviors have different degrees of morality.

Moral behaviors vary from one individual to another.

Virtue is a scent it attracts individuals and helps them realize the beauty in another individual.

The degree of beauty varies from one individual to another and so does the scent of a rose.

There are behaviors that are universally immoral.

Virtue is an angel, but she is a blind one, and must ask Knowledge to show her the pathway that leads to her goal.

This means that one requires knowledge to know the correct moral paths.

What knowledge does one need to gain moral excellence?

Virtue and knowledge work hand in hand.

An individual cannot discover moral excellence if they lack knowledge.

Moral excellence is the goal of various individuals.

Each individual has different aspects that lead to their goal.

Everyone yearns for success and not failure.

Virtue has never been as respectable as money.

This creates the notion that people value money more than moral excellence.

Money will help one gain moral excellence.

Virtue may not be a reliable source of money.

There are some who adore an individual’s behavior more than their money.

Money may not enhance moral excellence in the lives of some individuals.

Glory follows virtue as if it were its shadow (Taylor, 47).

This means that when an individual acquires moral excellence, they gain glory.

Some individual may not honor moral excellence because they do not have the ability to reach that goal.

Shadows come in various sizes; the amount of glory one gets may also depend on the view of the people.

Everyone receives some glory for their behavior.

Part 2

Should an individual work hard to be excellent even though such work will not eliminate suffering, disease, poverty, injustice or death?

Pro- Hard work pays- there is always a degree of satisfaction when an individual maximizes their potential.

Pro- Everyone goes through some degree of suffering so we should all work hard.

Con a. The satisfaction may not match the effort.

Con b. The degree of suffering varies.

Should a person be concerned about keeping their integrity when others do not?

Pro- integrity leads to moral excellence

Pro- people have various goals so everyone should concentrate on their future aspirations.

Cons a. If other people do not value moral excellence, then it will not help.

Cons b. ones goals may not be beneficial if the societal norms do not approve them.

References

Singh, M P. Quote, Unquote: A Handbook of Famous Quotations. New Delhi: Lotus Press, 2006.

Print. Page 11.

Taylor, Suzanne G. Quotes on Hope and Virtue. Layton, UT: Gibbs Smith, 2009. Internet

resource. Page 47.