Meaning 1
A morally good quality expressed through conduct.
Reach for it when naming a character strength without claiming that one act proves the whole person
Patience became a practical virtue during the delicate repair.
Meaning 2
A useful advantage or beneficial quality.
Reach for it when explaining what makes a method, object, or choice especially worthwhile
The chief virtue of the design is that every part can be repaired locally.
| Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| everyday | ||
| warm | ||
| professional |
| |
| formal |
|
warm
Fits when broad moral character is the intended praise
Careful Goodness is diffuse and does not identify a particular virtue.
professional
Fits when consistent honesty and principles are central
Careful Integrity is one virtue, not a substitute for kindness, courage, or patience.
formal
Fits when outstanding moral or practical quality is meant
Careful Excellence can be technical and says nothing about moral conduct.
formal
Fits when a quality deserves approval or reward
Careful Merit evaluates worth and need not be moral.
everyday
Fits when a positive result rather than an inherent quality matters
Careful Benefit names the gain, not the feature that produces it.
everyday
Fits when a positive feature supports performance
Careful A strength can be powerful without being beneficial in every context.
professional
Fits when favorable practical comparison is the whole point
Careful Advantage can arise unfairly and carries no suggestion of inherent goodness.
formal
Fits when the option deserves consideration on that ground
Careful Merit is evaluative and less concrete than naming the exact practical virtue.
moral virtue
Humility is a moral virtue only when it does not erase rightful confidence.
practice virtue
The school asks pupils to practice virtue through repair, apology, and fair sharing.
chief virtue
The chief virtue of the route is its gentle, step-free gradient.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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