Post by Marcus on May 1, 2006 12:00:45 GMT -5
Virtues From The Audacht Morainn
www.fhaoil-choin.org/virtues.htm
This list of virtues would make an excellent base for building a consistent moral philosophy. I'd like to advise some prudence in dealing with the "modern / not-modern" issue, however. A lot of our "modern" attitudes are simply the reflection of our dominant materialist/capitalist culture, and to adapt a Celtic moral system to what seems "normal" in everyday life is simply to undermine our effort of devising an alternative, Celtic-based moral philosophy. If we want to "modernize" any of these virtues, it should be as part of a process that grows organically out of the original moral philosophy, not simply an uncritical "giving in" to modern pressures
Terms and Definitions
[glow=red,2,300]Trócar (modern 'trócaire')[/glow] - "Mercy": This comes from 'tróg' + 'car', literally "friendly to pity". Old Celtic 'trógá ' means both "sorrow, grief" and the emotions aroused by seeing this in others. The idea is the ability and willingness to empathize with others. In legal situations it carries the meaning of "leniency". Welsh uses the same word: 'trugaredd'
[glow=red,2,300]Fíreoin (ie, Fírén, modern 'fírán')[/glow] - "Justice": This is really derived from 'fírue', "truth" and refers to the discerning of the truth in a situation, which results in justice.
[glow=red,2,300]Cosmail (modern 'cosúil')[/glow] - "Similar, Fitting": The noun is 'cosmailius' (modern 'cosúlacht'). It originally comes from Old Celtic 'kom- samalis', which gives the idea of "like goes with like". It doesn't per se mean "impartiality", but the idea is of doing what the situation normally requires, rather than changing the rules.
[glow=red,2,300]Cuibsech - "Conscientious, Scrupulous"[/glow]: The noun is 'cubus' (modern 'coibhse', which now means "confession, examination of conscience"). The best modern English equivalent might be "responsibility" -- the awareness of one's duties to others.
[glow=red,2,300]Fossad (modern 'fosadh')[/glow] - "Steadiness, Stability": It literally means "having a seat under oneself". It means consistency and firmness in one's position, not easily swayed by outside opinion (ie, from pursuing the truth).
[glow=red,2,300]Eslabra - "Generous, Liberal, Unstinting"[/glow] : The noun is 'eslabrae'. Originally from Old Celtic 'ex slabratobis' "out of chains" -- ie, knowing no bounds. The idea is that one doesn't place arbitrary limits on one's generosity and availability.
[glow=red,2,300]Gart - "Generosity, Hospitality, Open-Handedness"[/glow] : It comes from a root meaning "warm", so its literal meaning is "warmth, friendliness" --acceptance and openness to other people, giving each their due.
[glow=red,2,300]Fíalainech[/glow] : This is composed of 'fíal' ("faithful, seemly, proper, generous, noble") and 'enech' ("face, honour"). It means essentially "politeness, courteous behaviour".
[glow=red,2,300]Sessach (modern 'seasmhach', from 'sessmach') [/glow]- "Sturdy, Strong, Steadfast": The noun is 'sessacht' or 'sessmacht'. the idea is someone who stands his ground and is not easily intimidated.
[glow=red,2,300]Lessach - "Helpful, Beneficent"[/glow] : This comes from the noun 'les' (modern 'leas') which means "(someone's) good", and also refers to the verb 'lessad' (modern stem 'leasaigh') 'to remedy". The idea is to seek actively to help other people.
[glow=red,2,300]Étir (modern 'féidir', as in 'is féidir liom' "I can")[/glow] - "Power, Ability": A modern English equivalent might be "competence".
[glow=red,2,300]Iondraic (modern 'ionraic')[/glow] - "Honest, Trustworthy": The noun is 'iondracus'(modern 'ionracas'). In a legal context it refer to a witness whose testimony can be believed.
[glow=red,2,300]Soithnge - "Eloquent"[/glow] : Originally 'so + tengae', literally "good with tongue" . The noun is 'soithnges'. This refers, of course, to the Celtic emphasis on the mastery of good language.
[glow=red,2,300]Forusta (modern 'forasta')[/glow] - "Well-Grounded, Sedate, Composed": The noun is 'forus' (modern 'foras') which originally means "established base". The idea is "calm, composed" -- also "sensible".
[glow=red,2,300]Fírbrethach - "Giving Correct Judgment"[/glow] : Self-explanatory from 'fír' "true" and 'breth' "judgment" -- ie, not allowing one's personal bias to interfere with the determination of right and wrong.
www.fhaoil-choin.org/virtues.htm
www.fhaoil-choin.org/virtues.htm
This list of virtues would make an excellent base for building a consistent moral philosophy. I'd like to advise some prudence in dealing with the "modern / not-modern" issue, however. A lot of our "modern" attitudes are simply the reflection of our dominant materialist/capitalist culture, and to adapt a Celtic moral system to what seems "normal" in everyday life is simply to undermine our effort of devising an alternative, Celtic-based moral philosophy. If we want to "modernize" any of these virtues, it should be as part of a process that grows organically out of the original moral philosophy, not simply an uncritical "giving in" to modern pressures
Terms and Definitions
[glow=red,2,300]Trócar (modern 'trócaire')[/glow] - "Mercy": This comes from 'tróg' + 'car', literally "friendly to pity". Old Celtic 'trógá ' means both "sorrow, grief" and the emotions aroused by seeing this in others. The idea is the ability and willingness to empathize with others. In legal situations it carries the meaning of "leniency". Welsh uses the same word: 'trugaredd'
[glow=red,2,300]Fíreoin (ie, Fírén, modern 'fírán')[/glow] - "Justice": This is really derived from 'fírue', "truth" and refers to the discerning of the truth in a situation, which results in justice.
[glow=red,2,300]Cosmail (modern 'cosúil')[/glow] - "Similar, Fitting": The noun is 'cosmailius' (modern 'cosúlacht'). It originally comes from Old Celtic 'kom- samalis', which gives the idea of "like goes with like". It doesn't per se mean "impartiality", but the idea is of doing what the situation normally requires, rather than changing the rules.
[glow=red,2,300]Cuibsech - "Conscientious, Scrupulous"[/glow]: The noun is 'cubus' (modern 'coibhse', which now means "confession, examination of conscience"). The best modern English equivalent might be "responsibility" -- the awareness of one's duties to others.
[glow=red,2,300]Fossad (modern 'fosadh')[/glow] - "Steadiness, Stability": It literally means "having a seat under oneself". It means consistency and firmness in one's position, not easily swayed by outside opinion (ie, from pursuing the truth).
[glow=red,2,300]Eslabra - "Generous, Liberal, Unstinting"[/glow] : The noun is 'eslabrae'. Originally from Old Celtic 'ex slabratobis' "out of chains" -- ie, knowing no bounds. The idea is that one doesn't place arbitrary limits on one's generosity and availability.
[glow=red,2,300]Gart - "Generosity, Hospitality, Open-Handedness"[/glow] : It comes from a root meaning "warm", so its literal meaning is "warmth, friendliness" --acceptance and openness to other people, giving each their due.
[glow=red,2,300]Fíalainech[/glow] : This is composed of 'fíal' ("faithful, seemly, proper, generous, noble") and 'enech' ("face, honour"). It means essentially "politeness, courteous behaviour".
[glow=red,2,300]Sessach (modern 'seasmhach', from 'sessmach') [/glow]- "Sturdy, Strong, Steadfast": The noun is 'sessacht' or 'sessmacht'. the idea is someone who stands his ground and is not easily intimidated.
[glow=red,2,300]Lessach - "Helpful, Beneficent"[/glow] : This comes from the noun 'les' (modern 'leas') which means "(someone's) good", and also refers to the verb 'lessad' (modern stem 'leasaigh') 'to remedy". The idea is to seek actively to help other people.
[glow=red,2,300]Étir (modern 'féidir', as in 'is féidir liom' "I can")[/glow] - "Power, Ability": A modern English equivalent might be "competence".
[glow=red,2,300]Iondraic (modern 'ionraic')[/glow] - "Honest, Trustworthy": The noun is 'iondracus'(modern 'ionracas'). In a legal context it refer to a witness whose testimony can be believed.
[glow=red,2,300]Soithnge - "Eloquent"[/glow] : Originally 'so + tengae', literally "good with tongue" . The noun is 'soithnges'. This refers, of course, to the Celtic emphasis on the mastery of good language.
[glow=red,2,300]Forusta (modern 'forasta')[/glow] - "Well-Grounded, Sedate, Composed": The noun is 'forus' (modern 'foras') which originally means "established base". The idea is "calm, composed" -- also "sensible".
[glow=red,2,300]Fírbrethach - "Giving Correct Judgment"[/glow] : Self-explanatory from 'fír' "true" and 'breth' "judgment" -- ie, not allowing one's personal bias to interfere with the determination of right and wrong.
www.fhaoil-choin.org/virtues.htm