For those students having a hard time picking a virtue to choose as a topic for the First Graded Paper, here are some lists of suggestions.
1. -- Make sure you choose something that is a single character trait. ("Being reliable" involves many character traits.)
2. - Make sure you choose something that describes a character trait existing in a person
For example:
- The word "Justice" might describe a state of things in society. "Being fair-minded" might be a better way of describing a "just" person.
- Forgiveness" is not a character trait, but an action. "Being a forgiving person" better describes a character-trait.
Here is a list from Martin Seligman's book, Authentic Happiness. Seligman lists seven main categories, with many specific virtues listed under each. The specific virtues are generally better topics ("wisdom" may involve too many character-traits)
Wisdom and knowledge. Specified as: Curiosity and interest in the world, love of
learning, judgment, critical thinking, open-mindedness, ingenuity, originality,
practical intelligence, street-smarts, social intelligence, personal
intelligence, emotional intelligence, perspective.
Courage. Specified as: Valor and bravery, perseverance, industry, diligence,
integrity, genuineness, honesty.
Love and Humanity: Specified as: Kindness and generosity, loving and allowing
oneself to be loved.
Justice. Specified as: Citizenship, duty, teamwork, loyalty, fairness and
equity, leadership (included under "Justice").
Temperance. Specified as: Self-control, prudence, discretion, caution, humility
and modesty.
Transcendence and Spirituality. Specified as: Appreciation of beauty and
excellence, gratitude, hope, optimism, future-mindedness, spirituality, sense of
purpose, faith, religiousness, forgiveness and mercy, playfulness and humor,
zest, passion, enthusiasm.
Here is a list from a Christian website
http://www.paceofgrace.net/virtues.htm
Acceptance, Appreciation, Assertiveness, Awe, Beauty, Caring, Charity,
Cheerfulness, Cleanliness, Commitment, Compassion, Confidence, Consideration,
Contentment, Courage, Courtesy, Creativity, Decisiveness, Detachment, Devotion,
Dignity, Diligence, Discernment, Endurance, Enthusiasm, Fairness, Faith,
Faithfulness, Fidelity, Flexibility, Forbearance, Forgiveness, Fortitude,
Friendliness, Generosity, Gentleness, Grace, Gratitude, Helpfulness, Honesty,
Honor, Hope, Humanity, Humility, Idealism, Independence, Initiative, Integrity,
Joyfulness, Justice, Kindness, Love, Loyalty, Mercy, Mindfulness, Moderation,
Modesty, Obedience, Openness, Orderliness, Patience, Peacefulness,
Perceptiveness, Perseverance, Purity, Purposefulness, Respect, Responsibility,
Reverence, Righteousness, Sacrifice, Self-Discipline, Serenity, Sincerity,
Steadfastness, Strength, Tact, Temperance, Thankfulness, Tolerance, Trust,
Truthfulness, Understanding, Unity, Uprightness, Wisdom, Zeal
Finally, here is a list I made up, including many personality-traits specially admired today, but not very traditional
responsible, loyal, diligent, disciplined, orderly
altruistic, caring, thoughtful, polite, courteous, gracious,
kind, compassionate, forgiving, empathic, sympathetic,
understanding, tolerant, non-judgmental, affable, friendly,
gentle
creative, spontaneous, in touch with feelings, natural,
genuine, open, sincere, "comfortable in his own skin"
unique, being oneself, authenticity, proud, self-confident,
independent, self-assertive,
self-aware, unpretentious, down-to-earth
respectful, obedient, law-abiding, cooperative, modest,
humble
ambitious, energetic, serious, driven, hard-working, tough,
inner strength, self-assertive, brave, willing to take risks
optimistic, looking on the bright side, cheerful, sense of
humor
sensual, enjoys life, loves nature, cares for the planet,
capable of great intimacy and deep friendship
appreciates art and music, savoir
faire, self-actualized, devoted to self-fulfillment
pure, calm, self-possessed, chaste, unmaterialistic,
otherworldly
integrity, intellectual honesty, rational autonomy,
willingness to question, truth-seeking
wise, experienced, thoughtful, intelligent, prudent,
cautious, careful, broad knowledge
balanced, moderate, sober, internal harmony