The Twelve Virtues of Peace
The path to peace, exemplified by Nantucket Peaceworks, is based on developing an understanding of the twelve virtues of peace and allowing these virtues to form the foundation and framework for one’s consciousness. To initiate this process, a searching and fearless moral inventory should be undertaken: Are we humble, forgiving and appreciative? Are we patient, tolerant and gracious? Are we understanding, compassionate, accepting and benevolent? Do we consistently exhibit these traits?
Facilitating the resolution of these questions could be achieved by examining one virtue at a time, starting with a thorough study of the definition presented below. After absorbing the definition, proceed to the series of quotations that can be accessed by clicking on each virtue. The quotations provide examples of how these virtues are utilized in real life by real people. The same procedure could then be followed with the remaining eleven virtues.
Once these virtues are integrated into our daily lives, we begin to experience awe-inspiring revelations.
Click on the definitions below to learn more...
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• Honesty:
Truthfulness, sincerity and fairness. Communicating and acting genuinely with oneself and others.
• Humility:
Freedom from false pride and arrogance. Having or showing an awareness of one’s own shortcomings.
• Compassion:
A deep sympathy that gives rise to an active desire to alleviate another’s suffering.
• Understanding:
Knowledge, awareness and intuition. The ability to clearly comprehend one’s own and other’s feelings, thoughts and attitudes.
• Acceptance:
Acknowledgement of the truth regarding a situation or condition. Appreciation, validation and approval of one’s own individualities, even those traits that may eventually need to be changed. Absolute cooperation with the inevitable.
• Patience:
Calm endurance of hardship, pain or delay. Demonstrating perseverance, restraint and determination.
• Tolerance:
An open-mindedness to the ideas, opinions and practices that differ from one’s own. A lack of prejudice and a live-and-let-live attitude.
• Forgiveness:
A letting go or releasing of resentments. The desire to pardon, excuse, exonerate or overlook.
• Graciousness:
The attribute of being kind to all. Politeness, cordiality and good-natured disposition.
• Gratitude:
Thankful appreciation for what one has received. Showing gratefulness and recognition to others.
• Benevolence:
Friendliness, selflessness and inclination to be charitable. Having a love of mankind accompanied with a desire to encourage the happiness of others.
• Integrity:
Moral consistency of actions, values and principles. A sense of honesty in regard to the motivations of one’s actions.
