What does virtue require of a man in public life?

Translation: quotations from Plutarch are quoted in Goodwin's 1870 revision of the 1684-94 English translation by several hands; quoted in Dryden's 1683-86 English translation, as revised by Arthur Hugh Clough in 1864, not his original words.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Goodwin's 1870 revision of the 1684-94 English translation by several hands): Plutarch believes that in public life, a man must rely on reason, not passion, to determine what is honorable and just. He argues that when passions are raised, they create controversy and prevent rational judgment. This is shown by his discussion of how reason, undisturbed by passion, leads to just decisions, while passion causes disputes and delays. "For reason, not being disturbed or diverted by passion, tends directly to that which is honorable and just; but if the passions are once raised, there immediately follows a mighty controversy and struggle between pleasure and grief on the one hand, and reason and judgment on the other." [1]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Dryden's 1683-86 English translation, as revised by Arthur Hugh Clough in 1864): Virtue in public life requires a man to be kind and obliging to those he has helped, to act for their security and preservation, and to seek honor and glory by doing extraordinary deeds for those in need, whom he considers objects for his virtue. "exerting himself for the security and preservation of what he seemed to consider his noblest possessions, those to whom he had done good... looking on the former as objects for his virtue, and on the latter as competitors in glory." [2]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Goodwin's 1870 revision of the 1684-94 English translation by several hands): Plutarch believes that a man's life should be in agreement with his doctrines, and that a philosopher's life must be consonant with his speech. He argues that a philosopher's speech is a law voluntarily imposed on himself, and that philosophy is a serious study, not a game or a means for gaining applause. [3]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Goodwin's 1870 revision of the 1684-94 English translation by several hands): Plutarch believes that virtue in public life requires a man to be open and active, promoting justice, providence, and the common good, rather than retreating into obscurity. He argues that such men should not live recluses but should be visible to set a good example and inspire others to virtue. "But what should they hide their heads for, who with regard to the works of nature own and magnify a God, who celebrate his justice and providence, who in point of morality are due observers of the law, promoters of society and community among all men, and lovers of the public-weal, and who in the administration thereof prefer the common good before private advantage?" [4]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Dryden's 1683-86 English translation, as revised by Arthur Hugh Clough in 1864): Virtue in public life requires a man to be temperate, industrious, just, and valiant, using his virtues for the public good. It also requires contentment and independence, which allow him to focus on the common good without distraction. (key quote above) [5]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Dryden's 1683-86 English translation, as revised by Arthur Hugh Clough in 1864): Brutus believed that virtue in public life required strict adherence to justice and the refusal to tolerate injustice, even among one's own friends. He argued that to neglect justice would make them guilty of injustice, not just cowardice. "for then,' said he, 'we could have been accused of cowardice only; whereas now we are liable to the accusation of injustice, after all our pain and dangers which we endure." [6]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Dryden's 1683-86 English translation, as revised by Arthur Hugh Clough in 1864): Virtue in public life requires a man to serve his country without mercenary views or desire for reward, including riches or glory. This belief is grounded in Aristides's own conduct and the interpretation of his actions by Plutarch. "holding the opinion that he ought to offer himself to the service of his country without mercenary views and irrespectively of any reward, not only of riches, but even of glory itself." [7]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Dryden's 1683-86 English translation, as revised by Arthur Hugh Clough in 1864): Virtue requires a man in public life to prioritize valor and public service over wealth and personal gain, and to maintain a consistent commitment to these values even after achieving high honors. This is shown through Cato's actions and beliefs, as described in the passage. "Neither do I find fault,' continued he, 'with those that seek to profit by these spoils, but I had rather compete in valor with the best, than in wealth with the richest, or with the most covetous in love of money." [8]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Goodwin's 1870 revision of the 1684-94 English translation by several hands): Plutarch argues that virtue in public life requires readiness, carefulness, and solicitude for the public, maintained through small, consistent efforts rather than grand gestures. He believes that public service is not solely about constant action but also includes periods of leisure and festivity, and that it is sustained by a continuous, unwavering commitment to the people's friendship and confidence. (key quote above) [9]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Goodwin's 1870 revision of the 1684-94 English translation by several hands): Plutarch believes that virtue in public life requires persistence in political engagement and honorably concluding one's life in the same manner it was lived, rather than retreating from public affairs due to old age. He argues that abandoning political life in old age would disgrace the time already lived and that tyranny is not an honorable end. "I esteem myself obliged to communicate also to you those sentiments of mine concerning old men's intermeddling with public matters... but that we may persist in what we had chosen and have been inured to from the beginning, putting the same conclusion to our life and our living honorably." [10]

What cuts against it

• The contrary-evidence entries are already in the record ledger above: [1], [2], [3], [4].

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Plutarch emphasizes that virtue in public life requires a man to be temperate, industrious, just, and valiant, using his virtues for the public good. This is shown in his belief that a man must be content and independent to focus on the common good without distraction.

2. He argues that public service should be sustained by a continuous, unwavering commitment to the people's friendship and confidence, maintained through small, consistent efforts rather than grand gestures.

3. Plutarch believes that virtue in public life requires persistence in political engagement and honorably concluding one's life in the same manner it was lived, rather than retreating from public affairs due to old age.

4. He also believes that a statesman must choose the best form of government or, if that is not possible, take the one that most closely resembles the best to ensure the public's benefit and his own honor.

5. Plutarch's belief that a man's life should be in agreement with his doctrines and that philosophy is a serious study, not a game or a means for gaining applause, supports the idea that virtue in public life must be consistent with one's principles and actions.

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: PARTIAL

The record is silent on the specific modern context of public life and the detailed mechanisms of governance in contemporary society. However, the principles of virtue in public life as described by Plutarch can be applied to modern governance.

Extrapolation: Plutarch would likely argue that virtue in public life requires a consistent commitment to the common good, sustained by reason and judgment, and that public service should be a continuous and unwavering effort. He would also emphasize the importance of maintaining one's principles and doctrines in public life, and the need to avoid passion and vanity in decision-making.

Competing readings: One reading is that Plutarch's emphasis on reason and judgment in public life is a direct reflection of his belief in the importance of rational decision-making. Another reading is that his emphasis on consistency in political engagement and the need to avoid passion and vanity is a reflection of his belief in the importance of personal virtue and integrity in public life.

Confidence: Moderate, as the record provides a partial understanding of Plutarch's views on virtue in public life, and the extrapolation is based on the principles he described in his writings.