Beneficence

Beneficence is doing good to another. It is an act ofcharity or friendship.

We are bound to exercise beneficence, for we areobligated to “do good to all men.” St. Paul (Gal. 6:10)indicates this fact when he points out beneficence as our lifelongduty: “While we have time, let us do good to allmen.”

The opportunity of actually exercising beneficence forthe benefit of all mankind is not given to many. We have the duty,then, of exercising beneficence towards those who are about us, tothose who are more closely united to us.

Beneficence, like good will, is an act of charity; itis not a special virtue in itself.