Does the word "Virtue" sound archaic?

[The Mikado]

IMPORTANT NOTE: I don't mean the value itself, I mean the word alone.  I'm not asking whether the things signified by the word are outdated, I'm asking if the word sounds like a relic.

Yes.  I don't think anyone would title a book The Republic of Virtue in the 21st century.  The word has a sort of stuffy, Roman feel to it that conjures up images of marble busts of the ancients hectoring us.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I tend to think of it more as being laughably nineteenth century, but I agree with the general sentiment.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Depends on the meaning of "virtue" one wants to reference.  Certainly it would be archaic in the selected example, just as the meaning of cult in Cult of Reason would be archaic.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

it does sound ancient, but not archaic, since there is no better term for the concept.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

No, but I"m an old.

[anvi]

I'm a nerdy fan of old and archaic words.  And so, I actually think the word virtue is very cool.  According to its Latin etymology, it comes from "vir," which means "man" (as it is in the word "virile").  Generically, virtue means moral power, and sometimes just power or excellence, but its other senses in Latin have to do with manliness or valor (literally powers of a man).

I think we need this word now more than ever--this is no time to lose virtue.

Incidentally, I like the Chinese word most often translated into English as "virtue" too.  The word is 徳 (de--tone 2), and it combines characters that in classical literary Chinese mean "go" (彳), "straight" (直) and "heart/mind" (心).

 

[Torie]

I prefer the even more archaic word, virtu, which imports courage and strength into the mix, and without those, "virtue" is an flaccid concept.

[RI]

I prefer the even more archaic word, virtu, which imports courage and strength into the mix, and without those, "virtue" is an flaccid concept.

Torie Machiavelli.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I prefer the even more archaic word, virtu, which imports courage and strength into the mix, and without those, "virtue" is an flaccid concept.

Torie Machiavelli.

As do I

[TJ in Oregon]

It is one word that I rarely if ever hear as a young person. We hear concepts like "justice" or "freedom" mentioned all the time, but "virtue".... that's from an older era. I have a friend who is into "Virtue Ethics" as opposed to utilitarian ethics and is trying to bring it back but in general my generation no longers uses that word. It is probably related to shifting cultural values on social issues like gay marriage because as a society we now care more about "justice" than "virtue" and "justice" is more utilitarian concept.

[Tetro Kornbluth]

It´s been an archaism (only in the context you mention, however) for quite a while now. At least to me it has a very Victorian ring.

Which doesn´t mean I don´t use it from time to time. For one thing, Irony can be a wonderful thing...

EDIT: Doing an Atlas forum search for the word "virtue" returned 29 pages... so..

[Lincoln Republican]

Both the word, and the meaning, virtue, never goes out of style.

[Joe Biden 2020]

No, and it needs to revived in today's culture.  Society needs to return to a life of virtues, not liberal virtues or conservative virtues, but American virtues.

[bullmoose88]

No, and it needs to revived in today's culture.  Society needs to return to a life of virtues, not liberal virtues or conservative virtues, but American virtues.

And what virtues would those american virtues be exactly?

[Joe Biden 2020]

No, and it needs to revived in today's culture.  Society needs to return to a life of virtues, not liberal virtues or conservative virtues, but American virtues.

And what virtues would those american virtues be exactly?

The virtues that our founding father's gave birth to this great country with.  What destroys nations is drifting away from the ideals that made them a nation.  I'm afraid that America won't last too long if we keep drifting away from our founding ideals and virtues.  That commercial where the Chinese are reviewing what happened to America is a very real possibility.

I'm not necessarily saying Christian values, but the values that are common to people of all faiths, the values of love for your neighbor and for your enemy, removal of greed, pardoning of debts, respect for each other, remove bickering, hatred and envy, the focus on people's strengths and what they bring to the table, rather than on their weaknesses and what they cannot do.  Removal of "holier than thou" attitudes.  End the attitude that "I'm first and everyone else is second, therefore I'm going to make me happy regardless of how that affects my brother." Treat others as better than yourself.  Hospitality needs to be brought back into the forefront.  Those are the social values, but if we are to survive as a nation, we need to be smart and be frugal with our money and our resources.

If you notice, some of these virtues and values are Christian, but most are just plain common sense and common to people of all faiths and beliefs, even those without faith.

I'm pointing a finger not only at the non-Christians in our society, but also I'm pointing a big, boney finger at the Christians who shun people of different faiths and ideologies and sexual orientations.  While they don't have to agree with the other person's faith, ideology, and sexual orientation, they need to pray for them and be their friend, not be judgmental.  The God I serve calls us to be a servant and be a friend to those who need and are crying out for friends, not just our own.  The Bible also clearly says "If you love your neighbor only, what credit is that to you?"  The Bible clearly teaches to love your neighbors and enemies.

Thirdly, I'm pointing a finger at myself for losing sight of some of these virtues.  I ask my God every day for forgiveness and strength to do what is right.