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→Magananimity as a Christian virtue
According to Witherspoon, magnanimity entails five commitments: (1) attempting great and difficult things, (2) aspiring after great and valuable possessions, (3) facing dangers with resolution, (4) struggling against difficulties with perseverance, and (5) bearing sufferings with fortitude and patience. In short, the magnanimous Christian is eager to attempt great things and willing to endure great hardships.<ref>[https://clearlyreformed.org/the-manly-virtue-of-magnanimity/ ''The Manly Virtue of Magnanimity'']</ref>}}
According to Witherspoon, magnanimity entails five commitments: (1) attempting great and difficult things, (2) aspiring after great and valuable possessions, (3) facing dangers with resolution, (4) struggling against difficulties with perseverance, and (5) bearing sufferings with fortitude and patience. In short, the magnanimous Christian is eager to attempt great things and willing to endure great hardships.<ref>[https://clearlyreformed.org/the-manly-virtue-of-magnanimity/ ''The Manly Virtue of Magnanimity'']</ref>}}
The Catholic Education Resource Center's article ''Called to Greatness: The Virtue of Magnanimity'' indicates:
{{Cquote|When faced with choices in life, do you tend to pursue what is most noble — what will form you in excellence and benefit others most? Or do you tend to shy away from things that may push you out of your comfort zone — even if they are good for you — either because you fear failure or because you tend to avoid doing what is difficult and challenging?
Striving for greatness is at the heart of a virtue called "magnanimity," which means "greatness of soul." This is the virtue by which man pursues what is great and honorable in his life, even if it is difficult. St. [[Thomas Aquinas]] describes it as a "stretching forth of the mind to great things."1 The magnanimous person seeks to do great acts, "things as are deserving of honor."2
This is not opposed to humility. The magnanimous person pursues greatness in proportion to his ability. He humbly takes stock of all the gifts that God has given him and seeks to use them as best he can. As Aquinas explains, "Magnanimity makes a man deem himself worthy of great things in consideration of the gifts he holds from God."3
While magnanimity is certainly exhibited among the famous saints who evangelized whole cultures, started new religious orders, or defended the Church against widespread heresies, it is also found in simple, small, ordinary people whose sincere desire to give the best of themselves is used by God to do extraordinary things.<ref>[https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/religion-and-philosophy/philosophy/called-to-greatness-the-virtue-of-magnanimity.html ''Called to Greatness: The Virtue of Magnanimity''], Catholic Education Resource Center</ref>}}
== See also ==
== See also ==