Magnanimity

Magnanimity
The magnanimity of Alexander towards the captive Porus.

Magnanimity (derived from the Latin roots magn- great, and animus, mind, literally means greatly generous) is the virtue of being great of mind and heart. It encompasses, usually, a refusal to be petty, a willingness to face danger, and actions for noble purposes. Its antithesis is pusillanimity. Magnanimity is a latinization of the Greek word megalopsuchia which means greatness of soul and was identified by Aristotle as "the crowning virtue". Although the word magnanimity has a traditional connection to Aristotelian philosophy, it also has its own tradition in English which now causes some confusion.[1]

Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary of the American Language defines Magnanimity as such:

MAGNANIMITY, n. [L. magnanimitas; magnus, great, and animus, mind.] Greatness of mind; that elevation or dignity of soul, which encounters danger and trouble with tranquility and firmness, which raises the possessor above revenge, and makes him delight in acts of benevolence, which makes him disdain injustice and meanness, and prompts him to sacrifice personal ease, interest and safety for the accomplishment of useful and noble objects.[2]

In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle considered it the suitable virtue for a great man, arising from his other virtues.[3]

Edmund Spenser, in The Faerie Queen, had each knight allegorically represent a virtue; Prince Arthur represented "magnificence", which is generally taken to mean Aristotelian magnificence[4][5]. The uncompleted work does not include Prince Arthur's book, and the significance is not clear.

Democritus states that "magnanimity consists in enduring tactlessness with mildness".

As an adjective, the concept is expressed as "magnanimous", e.g. "He is a magnanimous man." An example of referring to one as magnanimous can be seen in Hrólfs saga kraka where King Hrólfr Kraki changes the name of a court servant from Hott to Hjalti for his new-found strength and courage, after which Hjalti refuses to taunt or kill those who previously mocked him. Because of his noble actions, the king then bestows the title Magnanimous upon Hjalti.

One form of magnanimity is the generosity of the victor to the defeated. For example, magnanimity has been codified between societies by the Geneva Conventions.

Magnanimous relief efforts can serve to offset the collateral damage of war.

C. S. Lewis, in his book The Abolition of Man, refers to the chest of man as the seat of magnanimity, or sentiment, with this magnanimity working as the liaison between visceral and cerebral man.[6] Lewis asserts that in his time, the denial of the emotions that are found in the eternal, the sublime, that which is humbling as an objective reality, had led to "men without chests".

Winston Churchill is famously quoted as saying "In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Goodwill."

References

  1. ^ See for example the footnote in the Rackham edition. In the Sachs translation it is remarked that two possible translations "pride" and "high mindedness" both only get half of the meaning, while magnanimity only "shifts the problem into Latin".
  2. ^ Webster, N., Dictionary of the American Language, 1828.
  3. ^ Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics.
  4. ^ Nichomachaen Ethics IV 2
  5. ^ Spenser, E., The Faerie Queen
  6. ^ Lewis, C. S., The Abolition of Man.

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  • Magnanimity — Mag na*nim i*ty, n. [F. magnanimit[ e], L. magnanimitas.] The quality of being magnanimous; greatness of mind; elevation or dignity of soul; that quality or combination of qualities, in character, which enables one to encounter danger and trouble …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • magnanimity — index charity, clemency, condonation, indulgence, largess (generosity), longanimity, philanthropy …   Law dictionary

  • magnanimity — (n.) mid 14c., loftiness of thought or purpose, from O.Fr. magnanimité high mindedness, generosity of spirit, from L. magnanimitatem (nom. magnanimitas) greatness of soul, high mindedness, from magnanimus having a great soul, from magnus great… …   Etymology dictionary

  • magnanimity — [mag΄nə nim′ə tē] n. [ME magnanimite] 1. the quality or state of being magnanimous 2. pl. magnanimities a magnanimous act …   English World dictionary

  • magnanimity — n. 1) to display, show magnanimity towards 2) great magnanimity * * * [ˌmægnə nɪmɪtɪ] show magnanimity towards great magnanimity to display …   Combinatory dictionary

  • magnanimity — [[t]mæ̱gnənɪ̱mɪti[/t]] N UNCOUNT Magnanimity is kindness and generosity towards someone, especially after defeating them or being treated badly by them. [FORMAL] We will have to show magnanimity in victory... The father of one victim spoke with… …   English dictionary

  • magnanimity — magnanimous ► ADJECTIVE ▪ generous or forgiving, especially towards a rival or less powerful person. DERIVATIVES magnanimity noun magnanimously adverb. ORIGIN from Latin magnus great + animus soul …   English terms dictionary

  • magnanimity — noun (plural ties) Date: 14th century 1. the quality of being magnanimous ; loftiness of spirit enabling one to bear trouble calmly, to disdain meanness and pettiness, and to display a noble generosity 2. a magnanimous act …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • magnanimity — /mag neuh nim i tee/, n., pl. magnanimities for 2. 1. the quality of being magnanimous. 2. a magnanimous act. [1300 50; ME magnanimite < L magnanimitas. See MAGNANIMOUS, ITY] * * * …   Universalium

  • magnanimity — noun a) The quality of being magnanimous; greatness of mind; elevation or dignity of soul. b) That quality or combination of qualities, in character, which enables one to encounter danger and t …   Wiktionary

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