Week #1 Plato's Meno

"It is unfair to attribute virtues beyond a person's true character" Billy Graham

Evaluate this quote, including definitions for virtue and true character.

Admin wrote:"It is unfair to attribute virtues beyond a person's true character" Billy Graham

Evaluate this quote, including definitions for virtue and true character.

Although the context of this quote is unavailable, it sounds like what Billy Graham is trying to communicate is that you should not overestimate someone's virtue. You shouldn't say someone is more virtuous than they really are.

virtue: behavior showing high moral standards
true character: a person's true moral beliefs. "A person's true character is revealed by what he does when no one is watching." - Unknown

"It is unfair to attribute virtues beyond a person's true character" Billy Graham

Evaluate this quote, including definitions for virtue and true character.



Virtue: behavior showing high moral standards.
True character: the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.

It sounds like to me that if you don't have a good character that you can't have a good behavior or high moral standards.

Admin wrote:"It is unfair to attribute virtues beyond a person's true character" Billy Graham

Evaluate this quote, including definitions for virtue and true character.

I would like to flip this quote to analyze it. To claim that it is fair to attribute virtues beyond a person's true character. It is very difficult to decipher this quote without the context behind it. Taken at face value, this statement is illogical and absurd. yet, First, What is a virtue? and are we fighting in a biblical arena? Yes, because all else is a falsity.
Virtue(s) are defined in Phillipeans. Philippians 4:8 ESV
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." We see that there numerous virtues, not just one. Now that we know that virtues are all things lovely etc, to attribute such labels to people based on their behavior is completely acceptable. As far as "true character" goes, I contend that it does not exist. The character one displays is essentially, their core character. To say there is true character then opens the door for false character to exist, which it does not.

Admin wrote:"It is unfair to attribute virtues beyond a person's true character" Billy Graham

Evaluate this quote, including definitions for virtue and true character.

What I believe Billy Graham is trying to say here is to have discernment. What do you mean you ask? Well, This is what I mean. You give credit where credit is due. For we can never know the true state of another person's heart. Only God knows. The only way we could know is if God has shown us. That true character is not only what they show through their behavior because that can be affected by many factors. But it is God's plan for them, their destiny. They can turn from it, but it is still there waiting for them. But what are virtues? Well according to google they are, "behavior showing high moral standards." Although this takes effort to do, we can never know the true state of a man's heart. Only God truly knows. I hope that makes sense, let me know if it doesn't, and I will try and clarify