Virtues in Life List: Should Gratitude and Humility come Last

In virtute robur

In virtue lies our strength,

To uphold our motto,

We’ll go to any length,

This was the chorus of our school anthem, Don Bosco, Matunga. Let me say one thing which is an abiding memory was is a school where somehow we got an atmosphere which was liberal open and conducive to all round development and most of us were taught to become honest responsible citizens of the nation and be prepared for life. This was certainly in contrast to schools ready to churn out sorted academic achievers more concerned with ranks and academic achievements. Intelligence was emphasized on at the cost of development of intellect. Utilitarian education versus utopian education will always remain a contest in the face of modern world demands where man runs after jobs, degrees, material wealth rather than living a life of true meaning and fulfilment. 

Coming back to list of virtues for some reasons when we randomly make a list the top rankers are and lists are based on traditions and cultures and scriptures. As far as Indian culture importance is given to the following virtues. 

1. Ahimsa (Non-violence) - Emphasized by Mahatma Gandhi and emphasized by Jains to extreme limits, this principle advocates for non-violence in thought, word, and deed.
2. Satya (Truthfulness) - Truthfulness is highly valued and seen as a foundational virtue in Indian culture.
3. Daya (Compassion) - Compassion towards all living beings is considered a noble virtue in Indian philosophy and seen as a corollary to non-violence.
4. Dharma (Righteousness) - Upholding one's duty and righteousness is a key virtue in Indian moral and ethical codes. It talks of swadharma or following one's duty based on natural tendencies,
5. Karuna (Empathy) - Similar to compassion, empathy towards others is seen as a virtue that leads to understanding and harmony.
6. Kshama (Forgiveness) - Forgiveness is valued as a virtue that leads to inner peace and harmony in relationships.
7. Seva (Service) - Service to others, especially to those in need, is considered a virtuous act in Indian culture.
8. Santosha (Contentment) - Contentment with what one has is seen as a virtue that leads to inner peace and happiness. This comes closest to gratitude but is different from the Sanskrit word krtuagnyata.
9. Tapas (Austerity) - Austerity and self-discipline are seen as virtues that lead to spiritual growth and self-improvement.
10. Sauharda (Harmony) - Harmony with others and with nature is seen as a virtue that leads to a balanced and fulfilling life.
11. Tyaga (Renunciation) - Renunciation of worldly desires and attachments is seen as a virtue that leads to spiritual liberation. This is very much more Indian than a Western virtue as Gita when spoken repeatedly converts itself to tagi and tyagi.
12. Viveka (Discrimination) - Discrimination between right and wrong, and between the eternal and the temporary, is seen as a virtue that leads to wisdom. This enables one to be non judgmental.
13. Shanti (Peace) - Inner peace and peace in relationships are seen as virtues that lead to a harmonious life.
14. Anukampa (Sympathy) - Sympathy towards the suffering of others is seen as a virtue that leads to compassion and understanding. Differs from empathy as it leads to giving and charity.
15. Maitri (Friendship) - Friendship and camaraderie are seen as virtues that lead to mutual support and happiness.
16. Ahara Niyam (Dietary Discipline) - Discipline in diet and consumption is seen as a virtue that leads to physical and mental well-being.
17. Soucha (Cleanliness) - Cleanliness of body, mind, and surroundings is seen as a virtue that leads to health and purity.
18. Vidya (Knowledge) - The pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is seen as a virtue that leads to enlightenment and understanding. This is the path of Jnana yoga.
19. Atithi Devo Bhava (Guest is God) - Hospitality and respect towards guests are seen as virtues that lead to goodwill and blessings. Putting others before self is also a more Indian virtue.

While the above list has been generated by ChatGTP 3.5 it confirms my gut feeling that some how gratitude and humility are missing stands confirmed. Is there any reason for this? I would request my readers to ponder over it and give their comments on this. While every culture is contextual and based on the presence of certain vices, the virtues are generally emphasized. I strongly feel that Gratitude and Humility must make this list in the top 5 virtues as they are sorely lacking in the present day.

Let me begin with Gratitude. The earth has 8 billion people. So if we ask ourselves one question to rank ourselves in terms of happiness where should we rank ourselves.

33% of the world does not have access to clean drinking water. 4.5 billion 56 % people have no access to healthcare. 3.6 billion that is 45% do not have access to basic sanitation, As far as housing is concerned, each person needs at least 700-1000 sq. feet livable area but more than 20% of the world's population have merely 70-85 sq. feet living area. Basic education is not available to almost 17% of the people on earth and only 38% of the people in the world get access to higher education. So we who are reading this blog should at every moment be grateful for the fact that all of the above and much more are available to us for most if not all our lives. We are living in relatively free societies and have ample opportunities to not only succeed in our lives, but also make provision to give great facilities and opportunities to our children. In the face of the greed and race to acquire and enjoy possessions I remember my late father when you used to utter the words "Count your blessings" and show gratitude to the Lord for all the bounties bestowed on us. I will never forget a person who said that even the richest man does not have one thing that a person who has a virtue of Gratitude possesses as he does not have "enough". The passage Perennial Joy vs Passing Pleasure can be the guiding scriptural knowledge for cultivating Gratitude. Also the first verse of the Isa Upanishad talks of Joy in Renunciation.

Isha vaasyam idamsarvam yatkinchha jagatyaam jagat. Tena tyaktena bhunjitha ma gridaha kasya swiddhanam. All this-whatever exists in this changing universe-should be covered by the Lord. Protect the Self by renunciation. Lust not after any man’s wealth. 

Humility is the next virtue which is most endearing and underplayed. Whenever, we meet or think about the rich and famous and celebrities, we are overawed by their personalities and expect that we will look small or insignificant to them. However, it has been my experience over the years that the truly great are always humble and this virtue charms us and increases our respect for such persons increases manifold. Biographies and Autobiographies personalities with humility show that everyone is born in this world with certain privileges and certain handicaps. It is much like a pack of cards dealt to us at the beginning of the game of life. Most of the great souls including great prophets and achievers had to deal with the good and bad experiences that came their way. They faltered, made mistakes and succumbed to vices and temptations of greed, envy pride and attachment but having gone through the negatives needed humility to overcome the problems they faced. While all virtues help but a generous dollop of gratitude combined with humility were the mainstay virtues to help them to dig themselves out of the hole of despair. Humility is also very important in allowing a person to be cultivate an attitude of learning and not become complacent in terms of an attitude of arrogance of knowledge. 

At the end is it a strange paradox that our happiness is not related to our wealth or possessions but to our attitude to what we have. I think irrespective of how life treats us we can say every waking hour pause and say Thank you for all that we have received and when we get more than we deserve in terms of material possessions and even praise or adulation remain humble. Live as though you have to die tomorrow and be grateful for life and be humble and learn as though you need to live forever. Thus spake Gandhi my Guru in absentia. Humility is not thinking less of yourself but of thinking of yourself "Less". 

Dr. Vispi Jokhi