Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

[[Latin]] magnanimus, from magnus great + animus [[spirit]]

[[Latin]] magnanimus, from magnus great + animus [[spirit]]

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1567]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1567]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1: showing or suggesting a lofty and [[courageous]] [[spirit]] <the irreproachable lives and magnanimous sufferings of their followers — Joseph Addison>

*1: showing or suggesting a lofty and [[courageous]] [[spirit]] <the irreproachable lives and magnanimous sufferings of their followers — Joseph Addison>

*2: showing or suggesting [[nobility]] of [[feeling]] and [[generosity]] of [[mind]] <too [[sincere]] for dissimulation, too magnanimous for resentment — Ellen Glasgow>   

*2: showing or suggesting [[nobility]] of [[feeling]] and [[generosity]] of [[mind]] <too [[sincere]] for dissimulation, too magnanimous for resentment — Ellen Glasgow>   

==Description==

==Description==

'''Magnanimity''' (derived from the [[Latin]] roots magn- great, and animus, mind, [[literally]] means greatly [[generous]]) is the [[virtue]] of being great of [[mind]] and [[heart]]. It [[encompasses]], usually, a refusal to be petty, a willingness to face [[danger]], and [[actions]] for [[noble]] [[purposes]]. Its antithesis is pusillanimity. Magnanimity is a latinization of the [[Greek]] word megalopsuchia which means greatness of [[soul]] and was identified by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle Aristotle] as "the crowning [[virtue]]". Although the word magnanimity has a [[traditional]] connection to Aristotelian [[philosophy]], it also has its own [[tradition]] in [[English]] which now causes some [[confusion]].

'''Magnanimity''' (derived from the [[Latin]] roots magn- great, and animus, mind, [[literally]] means greatly [[generous]]) is the [[virtue]] of being great of [[mind]] and [[heart]]. It [[encompasses]], usually, a refusal to be petty, a willingness to face [[danger]], and [[actions]] for [[noble]] [[purposes]]. Its antithesis is pusillanimity. Magnanimity is a latinization of the [[Greek]] word megalopsuchia which means greatness of [[soul]] and was identified by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle Aristotle] as "the crowning [[virtue]]". Although the word magnanimity has a [[traditional]] connection to Aristotelian [[philosophy]], it also has its own [[tradition]] in [[English]] which now causes some [[confusion]].

Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary of the American Language defines Magnanimity as such:

Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary of the American Language defines Magnanimity as such:

<blockquote>MAGNANIM'ITY, n. [L. magnanimitas; magnus, great, and animus, [[mind]].] Greatness of mind; that elevation or [[dignity]] of [[soul]], which encounters [[danger]] and trouble with tranquillity and firmness, which raises the possessor above revenge, and makes him delight in [[acts]] of benevolence, which makes him disdain injustice and meanness, and prompts him to [[sacrifice]] personal ease, interest and safety for the accomplishment of useful and [[noble]] objects.</blockquote>

<blockquote>MAGNANIM'ITY, n. [L. magnanimitas; magnus, great, and animus, [[mind]].] Greatness of mind; that elevation or [[dignity]] of [[soul]], which encounters [[danger]] and trouble with tranquillity and firmness, which raises the possessor above revenge, and makes him delight in [[acts]] of benevolence, which makes him disdain injustice and meanness, and prompts him to [[sacrifice]] personal ease, interest and safety for the accomplishment of useful and [[noble]] objects.</blockquote>

In his [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicomachean_Ethics ''Nicomachean Ethics''], Aristotle considered it the suitable [[virtue]] for a great man, arising from his other virtues.

In his [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicomachean_Ethics ''Nicomachean Ethics''], Aristotle considered it the suitable [[virtue]] for a great man, arising from his other virtues.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Spenser Edmund Spenser], in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Faerie_Queen ''The Faerie Queen''], had each knight [[allegorically]] represent a [[virtue]]; Prince Arthur represented "magnificience", which is generally taken to mean Aristotelian magnificence. The uncompleted work does not include Prince Arthur's book, and the significance is not clear.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Spenser Edmund Spenser], in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Faerie_Queen ''The Faerie Queen''], had each knight [[allegorically]] represent a [[virtue]]; Prince Arthur represented "magnificience", which is generally taken to mean Aristotelian magnificence. The uncompleted work does not include Prince Arthur's book, and the significance is not clear.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democritus Democritus] states that "magnanimity consists in [[enduring]] tactlessness with mildness".

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democritus Democritus] states that "magnanimity consists in [[enduring]] tactlessness with mildness".

As an adjective, the concept is expressed as "magnanimous", e.g. "He is a magnanimous man." An example of referring to one as magnanimous can be seen in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hr%C3%B3lfs_saga_kraka Hrólfs saga kraka] where King [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hr%C3%B3lfr_Kraki Hrólfr Kraki] changes the name of a court servant from Hott to Hjalti for his new-found strength and courage, after which Hjalti refuses to taunt or kill those who previously mocked him. Because of his noble actions, the king then bestows the title Magnanimous upon Hjalti.

As an adjective, the concept is expressed as "magnanimous", e.g. "He is a magnanimous man." An example of referring to one as magnanimous can be seen in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hr%C3%B3lfs_saga_kraka Hrólfs saga kraka] where King [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hr%C3%B3lfr_Kraki Hrólfr Kraki] changes the name of a court servant from Hott to Hjalti for his new-found strength and courage, after which Hjalti refuses to taunt or kill those who previously mocked him. Because of his noble actions, the king then bestows the title Magnanimous upon Hjalti.

One form of magnanimity is the [[generosity]] of the victor to the defeated. For example, magnanimity has been codified between [[societies]] by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_Convention Geneva Conventions].

One form of magnanimity is the [[generosity]] of the victor to the defeated. For example, magnanimity has been codified between [[societies]] by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_Convention Geneva Conventions].

Magnanimous relief efforts can serve to offset the collateral damage of war.

Magnanimous relief efforts can serve to offset the collateral damage of war.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._S._Lewis C. S. Lewis], in his book [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Abolition_of_Man ''The Abolition of Man''], refers to the chest of man as the seat of magnanimity, or sentiment, with this magnanimity working as the [[liaison]] between visceral and cerebral man. Lewis asserts that in his time, the denial of the [[emotions]] that are found in the [[eternal]], the [[sublime]], that which is [[humbling]] as an objective [[reality]], had led to "men without chests".

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._S._Lewis C. S. Lewis], in his book [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Abolition_of_Man ''The Abolition of Man''], refers to the chest of man as the seat of magnanimity, or sentiment, with this magnanimity working as the [[liaison]] between visceral and cerebral man. Lewis asserts that in his time, the denial of the [[emotions]] that are found in the [[eternal]], the [[sublime]], that which is [[humbling]] as an objective [[reality]], had led to "men without chests".

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston_Churchill Winston Churchill] is [[famous]]ly quoted as saying "In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Goodwill."

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston_Churchill Winston Churchill] is [[famous]]ly quoted as saying "In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Goodwill."

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]