Obviously there are a lot more vices than three that we can come up with. Granted some of these “vices” are really just what is bad for those in control but the other vices are true vices to the cosmic/primal order (AKA how the world and reality actually works). But there are three that I want to highlight specifically. I want to highlight them for a couple of different reasons.
First off many look at virtues in vice in one, often limited or confused way. They confuse moralism with morality. They confuse rule following with virtue and going against the norm with vice. Granted there can be overlap but it’s important to not confuse the two. Another error I see is only looking at these things in one oversimplified way. For example thinking because a kid is honest and good he’s virtuous and prepared for life when that could be very far from the truth.
Virtue and vice are more nuanced than that. Don’t get me wrong honesty is a virtue and lying a vice, obviously there are some exceptions like war and what not but that’s beyond the discussion here. We’re talking general terms. However honesty in and of itself doesn’t mean that one has what one needs to succeed in life. Even though it is a good thing when not attached to other things virtues can end up being liabilities. It’s when they form together that they become powerful.
The First Vice Of Humanity – The Moral Vices
Different ideologies and religions will tell you different things about moral virtues and vices. For example the church of modernity or communism/capitalism or whatever you want to call it will tell you that valuing your own above others is a vice. Might be “racism”, or “classism” or “xenophobia” or various other control/shame words. Yet every society in history would say you’re a fool if you value “the other” above your own. Likewise a religion might tell you that meekness is a virtue and that standing up for yourself the worst vice possible.
Therefore strength becomes a vice. It tells you, you must be a servant with your head in the dust or you don’t have virtue. Therefore strength and pride are considered vices according to these theologies. These are the moral virtues and vices and unfortunately often the only thing people consider to be a virtue or a vice. That’s not to say that there aren’t moral vices and virutes there certainly are. Generally they’re things that make human tribes and organization possible.
Humans are by nature wretched creatures and tempering these vices allows them to live with others. Honesty over lying. Restraint over bloodlust. And so on and so forth. These are good things and good things to engender into yourself and your offspring. To build character and make them solid people. Tempering these vices allows for trust and organization. For human functioning together. Temper these vices and build character and solidness into who you are.
The Second Vice Of Humanity – Weakness
However here’s the thing. You could be the most virtuous person in the world as described above. You could be honorable, forthright, trustworthy, and all of those things that are worth so much. Yet in and of itself this does very little for you as a matter of fact when not tied to anything else it can make you an easy target for the many predators of this world. Most people and parents try to weed out the moral vices in their children but neglect to remove these other vices, even if they’re successful with the above.
This leads to good people getting dashed to bits by the world around them upon first contact with it. You may have character but that doesn’t mean you are complete or without vice, at least according to the primal and cosmic order. Weakness is also a vice. Allowing yourself to be pushed around, walked over, and not being able to fight. This world and human existence is nothing but conflict. The sooner you get that and adapt to it the better off you’re going to be. The weak don’t have a place in this world or the next.
Understand that. If you see weakness in yourself or your children it’s no different than seeing dishonesty or lack of honor in either. It’s something that needs to be addressed, fixed, and rooted out. Weakness is a vice just as sure as anything else in this world is. You leave it be in yourself and those under your guide at your own peril. Weakness bears dark and evil fruits. This is weakness physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Weakness in all forms must be fought against and taken care of when it is found. Weakness is a vice.
The Third Vice Of Humanity – Foolishness
Just as surely as weakness is a vice so is foolishness. To build upon what we’re talking about above, a man could be honorable and good in the true moral sense as well as strong as can be, yet if he is foolish then he will still be destroyed and taken advantage of. Paul of the Bible said that man should be “As innocent as doves and wise as serpents” and I would add to that strong as lions. Foolishness is a vice and something that bears fruits you don’t want as well. You have to understand how the world works around you.
Understand yourself as well as human nature as a whole, along with other key things. I can’t list them all for you as there’s too much to cover. Understanding that foolishness is just as much a vice as anything else out there is important and the starting point. Again as stated above if you see foolishness in yourself, granted hard to do, or in those under your care then you have a problem. As with every problem it takes time and effort to solve and for those not you, ultimately up to them. Just understand the fruit that these things bear.
You can’t just be morally good. You can’t just be strong. And frankly you can’t just be wise. You have to be all three to succeed in this world in the next and by succeed I don’t mean make lots of worthless printed paper or have fancy houses next to perverts rather I mean succeed in the true sense of the world, which will have different meanings for different people. Live out the “song in your heart” or complete your souls mission or whatever you want to call it. It will require character, strength, and wisdom. You can’t afford to be weak in any place.
Tempering The Vices
The first thing is to identify them. First identify them in yourself, deal with them, and then worry about dealing with those under your guidance and leadership. Like Jesus once said take the plank out of your own eye before removing the mote in your brothers. The first step is awareness. Virtues and vices aren’t as simple as you’ve been led to believe. At least in the sense that I talk about here. Character, strength, and wisdom, a man needs all to succeed and survive in this world.
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-Charles Sledge
