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Virtues and Vices
March 2004
The movie Gladiator won 5 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, in the year 2000. The movie begins with Maximus, a Roman General, winning a decisive battle for Rome. It is made obvious that he is RomeÕs favorite son.
Once the dust settles and every one has celebrated their victory, Marcus Aurelius, the Emperor, and his son engage in a private meeting. (This is the same Marcus Aurelius who wrote ÒMeditations.Ó) The son lives with every expectation of being RomeÕs next Emperor.
The Emperor asks his son, ÒAre you ready to do your duty for Rome?Ó
His son responds, ÒYes, Father.Ó
Marcus Aurelius declares, ÒYou will not be Emperor.Ó
The son, obviously shaken and visibly dejected, asks, ÒWhich wise older man will take my place?Ó
His father says, ÒMaximusÉ,Ó to which the son replies, ÒYou wrote to me once listing the four virtues: wisdom, justice, fortitude and temperance. As I read the list I knew I had none of them. But I have other virtues, Father: ambition. That can be a virtue when it drives us to excel. Resourcefulness, courageÉ perhaps not on the battlefield, but there are many forms of courage. Devotion to my family, to you, but none of my virtues are on your list.Ó He then holds his fatherÕs face to his chest and suffocates him.
Virtue is the habit of right desire. Being a habit, it is a way of life. Some virtues are obvious to all men; otherwise, the New Testament would not have encouraged us to take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. Ultimately, the things we ought to desire are identified by God in His word. Knowing and believing His word will guard us from getting confused like the EmperorÕs son. His confusion was in believing that the things he desired were virtuous, when in reality what he really desired were vices (desires for the wrong things).
The Christian is to make every effort to suppliment our faith with virtue (2 Pet 1:5).Steven Lloyd