Virtue
Virtue a term used in various significations. Some define it to be "living according to attire" others, "universal benevolence to being." Some, again, place it "in regard to truth; " others, in the "moral sense." Some place it in "the imitation of God;" others, "in the love of God and our fellow-creatures." Some, again, think it consists "in mediocrity," supposing vice to consist in extremes; others have placed it in "a wise regard to our own interest." Dr. Smith refers it to the principle of sympathy; land Paley defines it to be the doing good to mankind, in obedience to the will of God, and for the sake of everlasting happiness. Some of these definitions are certainly objectionable. Perhaps those who place it in the love of God and our fellow creatures may come as near to the truth as any. See Edwards and Jameson, On Virtue; Grove and Paley, Moral Phil.; Cumberland, Law of Nature, 1, 4; Beattie, Elements of Moral Science, 2, 8, 77; Watts, Self love and Virtue Reconciled, 2nd vol. of his: Works, last ed.
The standard of virtue is the will of God as expressed in nature (including the human constitution) and his written word. See Fleming and Krauth, Vocab. of Philos. p. 487, 548, 907.
