Liberality
idea · 3 works · 4 mentions · 13 anchored passages
liberal man · liberality · liberal character · liberal disposition
in the texts
Nicomachean Ethics
The virtue of observing the mean in giving and getting money, in matters of ordinary scale.
In regard to giving and getting money, the observance of the mean is Liberality;
and a liberal man seems prodigal in contrast with a mean man, mean in contrast with one who is prodigal.
There are also other dispositions in relation to money, namely, the mode of observing the mean called Magnificence (the magnificent man being different from the liberal, as the former deals with large amounts and the latter with small ones), the excess called Tastelessness or Vulgarity, and the defect called Paltriness.
On Virtues and Vices
The virtue of the whole soul concerning generous spending on honourable ends
It belongs to liberality to be ready to give money for praiseworthy ends;
Liberality is the virtue of the soul that spends freely upon honourable ends.
and the virtues of the soul as a whole are justice, liberality, and greatness of soul.
On Benefits
The virtue of generous giving, tempered by judgment so as to avoid both stinginess and reckless excess
Since there is no honorable force of the mind, even though it begins from a right will, unless measure has made it a virtue, I forbid liberality to play the spendthrift.