The Mean or Measure of Virtue

By the mean or measure we do not understand something to estimate the extent of virtue; we indicate that which makes virtue show a sane balance, having neither excess nor deficiency. The measure of virtue does not reduce virtue to an average. Nor does it signify that every virtue is in itself something that, as the ancients said, “stands in themiddle”; something requiring only a moderate exercise. The mean or measure of virtue is what determines its perfect practice. Thus, for example, justice, by the mean or measure, demands the exact rendering to everyone of what is due him. A debtor who omitspart of what is due, offends against the measure by defect; a debtor who pays in full but with vainglory and boastfulness,offends against the measure of justice by excess. Justice itself cannot, of course, be in excess; but there can be excess (as illustrated in our example) in the manifestation or exercise ofjustice. Now, with respect to the moral virtues, the mean or measure is conformity with right reason.

The virtue of justice conforms to reason, and thus manifests the measure or mean, when human actions are in accord with the requirements of reality, of things. Hence we call the mean or measure of justice a real mean or measure. Other moralvirtues which regulate the passions, cannot be applied with theexactness of justice, but are in conformity with the mean or measure according to the judgment of reason in the circumstances inwhich they operate; hence we call their mean or measure a rational mean or measure. If a man owes five dollars,justice (by the very facts of the case) requires the payment ofthat exact amount. But to observe temperance, a man does not haveto weigh out a precise number of ounces of food and drink; nor would a determinate amount be called temperate for every person in every circumstance.

The mean or measure for the intellectual virtues of the speculative order is truth. The mean or measure for the intellectual virtues of the practical order is prudence.

The theological virtues are not subject to measure or mean except accidentally, in so far as they are humanly manifested. No excess is possible in the theological virtues themselves. Scripture(Ecclus. 43:33) says, “Blessing the Lord, exalt him as much asyou can, for he is above all praise.”