3. Some Words Possible to Practice
Beeause an honorable virtue like dignity cannot
easily be achieved, it is difficult to practice
its power, Yet there are innumerably many virtues
less than the above-mentioned virtue. From now
on we have to pursue virtues, Occidental or
Oriental, helpful to the restoration of ethics
and conscience in modern society. Here, the
author will review some virtues which we must
practice.
Firstly, in oredr to establish a warm society
we should understand wholly the meanings of
such words as ‘integrity’, ‘kindness’, ‘honesty’,
‘order’, ‘patience’, and ‘one’s own station
in life’; and practice the virtues personally
to evoke their power. Secondly, we should deeply
understand the meanings of such words as ‘service’,
‘sacrifice’, ‘cooperation’, ‘hierarchical order’,
and ‘discernment between the public and the
private’ forming the ground of community; and
practice the virtues enthusiastically to spread
their power. Thirdly, in order to cultivate
refined cultural consciousness we should be
clearly aware of the meanings of such words
as ‘concession’, ‘manners’, and ‘a sense of
shame’; and maximize their power. Fourthly,
in order to have a correct appreciation of history
we must understand the meanings of such words
as ‘rationality’, ‘valuation’, ‘practice’, and
‘courage’; and utilize their power.
The above virtues may appear to have nothing
to do with one another, but they are not independent
or exclusive. Rather, they are complementary.
Largely, as all words unexceptionally mean positive
values, a home will be warmer and a society
will be gentler and a nation will be infinitely
more peaceful, if we practice their meanings
in our daily lives.
A complicated society like ours today is not
able to solve everything just with laws and
regulations. We should awake our dormant conscience
and sense of honor, and encourage our negative
autonomy and rationality, and finally think
and behave for ourselves. Our(national) language
includes a rich store of words to express the
virtues we need. If we rightly understand their
meanings and put the ideas into practice, it
is not only the way to maximize the stength
of our(national) language in our daily lives
but also the shortest path to enhancing our
spiritual and cultural climate.