16 August 2006
Jason D. Pickett's
Proclamation of Virtues
Preamble: Seven years ago, I wrote “Jason Pickett’s Declaration of Principles” for the purpose of privately and publicly realizing and declaring the conduct I would expect of myself. In retrospect, I feel that these rules were generally good to abide by, and would support a high moral character of anyone who tried to go by them. However, I also feel that they were too rigid in many regards for suggesting conduct and some of them are now obsolete in regard to me. Therefore, I have decided to draft another set of principles which looks quite similar in many respects, but with a few significant changes as well. The most significant change is altering the term ‘principle’ to ‘virtue’. This is significant not only because it is the change of a word, but rather a change of thought entirely; with the old principles, it was seen as a code of conduct to live by, and deviating from that code meant holding a weaker moral position. With the new virtues, in contrast, they are ideals to aspire to instead of strict moral guidelines. This means that an occasional deviation will not alter my overall standing morally, and it also allows me to realize that upholding these virtues could falter at any moment so I should continually work to achieve them. These virtues are listed in descending order of importance, with forgiveness being my paramount virtue and tolerance being the least pressing of all virtues listed. This is not to say by any means that the less important virtues are not important at all. Indeed, all virtues are something I should constantly aspire to achieve in harmony with one another, which I think is quite possible as they are not mutually exclusive. There are nine virtues listed in all, with appropriate sub-headings and elaborations listed elsewhere. If there is any need for clarification in the future of any of these virtues, I shall strive to immediately do so.
First Virtue- Forgiveness: My paramount virtue is and has always been forgiveness. To allow myself and others to err is my primary objective, because I know that in the past I have ceaselessly made mistakes and in the future I will continue to make mistakes, both grave and small, and I hope to give the same allowances to others as have been granted to me.
Second Virtue- Confidence: The virtue of confidence, both in myself and others, is extremely important to me. Because it will both allow me to complete tasks and to find courage and speak and do things for those who are too meek to do these things for themselves. I hope to hold confidence always for self advancement and the realization that all will always remain primarily well in the world.
Third Virtue- Honesty: Another very important virtue to me, honesty, should be the foundation of all that I say and do, especially in regard to others. Honesty, although problematic on occasion, should be an ambition ever to work for. A suggestion in how to achieve this virtue is: to never behave in a manner, where dishonesty becomes appealing. Honesty to me means never: lying, stealing, cheating, lying by omission, or any other means of not being true to myself or others. It means too, always allowing people to know with all their hearts, whether on meeting me or knowing me for many years, that I would never do anything to betray their trust, and to allow them to confide in me, both for their sakes’ and mine.
Fourth Virtue- Temperance: Temperance in all things within reason is always encouraged and looked well upon, both for myself and others. It is my ambition to remain temperate in the fields of: consumption of alcohol, consumption of food, consumption of drugs, fighting, idleness, and any other temptation that may disturb my natural order and ability to achieve. What this means is, that I always encourage sobriety in all forms, but if I feel I must intoxicate myself, to do it in moderation. I will always encourage myself to be peaceful and avoid fighting, physical or verbal, and certainly never to do either out of malice or pride. Furthermore, in the vain of temperance I shall always encourage myself to achieve humility, and certainly to always avoid hubris in any way possible.
Fifth Virtue- Reason: It will always be my goal to achieve and remember reason, especially in the face of pessimism. I hope to always remember the true way the world works, and to remember the most likely outcomes in all events, and never fall to fear or superstition. In this way, I also hope to remain open-minded to possibilities that may seem foreign or strange to me and to weigh them with appropriate consideration. It will always be my aim to be both logical and rational whenever possible, and to defy emotions and feelings that interfere with and cloud my judgement. This is not to say that I shall not hope to ever experience emotions of that nature, but I simply hope never to be led by them without the foundation of reason.
Sixth Virtue- Kindness: The virtue of kindness is of great importance and necessity to me. What this means is: always treating all people as important and full of tender feelings; to do all things in my power to do right by all people and creatures; to encourage and nourish the best feelings possible with all people; to never lose contact and friendships with those I have met and do not wish to lose contact with; to always be grateful for all services and kindnesses rendered unto me and to show such gratitude in any way possible; and to adopt a code of chivalry which I shall always endeavor to follow with all women, but especially those who I take to court.
Seventh Virtue- Diligence: The virtue of diligence is of crucial meaning and aspiration for me. I shall ever strive to do the best job I am able to ever improve myself in all ways. What this means in many ways is, to always keep and maintain a clean and orderly house, and to maintain the best hygiene possible. Orderliness is of great character and aspiration for me, and will likely always remain so.
Eighth Virtue- Generosity: The virtue of generosity is always encouraged, especially with those I know and interact with personally. It is always a great and successful idea to think of everyone as an investment, and that the more you give them, the greater both your and their reward in the long run will be. Generosity is encouraged through monetary donation as well as charity and volunteer work. Whenever possible use liberality as a means to nurture and encourage bonds among people, and to improve the world at large.
Nineth Virtue- Tolerance: The final virtue of tolerance by no means lacks significance as a virtue. Always allow and remember the differences with others and myself. Whenever possible reserve judgement in all matters of character because it is impossible to ever truly know why others act the way they do. The true reasons for such supposedly intolerable acts, often can not be known by me or anyone, excepting the agent of those actions. This is not to suggest one should simply tolerate things distasteful or allow things to happen without consequence, but simply to better endure and understand all acts that are disagreeable. All people have a place in this world somewhere, and it would do me well to always remember that.
Conclusion: It is my great hope that in time, I will be able to achieve all of these virtues to a great extent in time. May it be noted here, that simply because a virtue is not listed, that it does not exist in my mind, or that it does not hold importance to me. I feel that this list is rather comprehensive, but it is my ambition to be a good and righteous person generally, and this list of virtues is meant to set the terms of how I believe one can ultimately achieve this.
Jason D. Pickett
Edicts and Advice
Homepage
Huginn Muninn
Contact Page