Modesty as Decorum

Outward activity, bodily movement or conduct, falls under the rule of virtue. For such activity is to be controlled by reason, and reason is disposed by virtue to rule ordinately. Man is meant to live rightly by inner righteousness and outer decorum. Modesty as decorum is the virtue which steadily disposes aperson to regulate his external conduct so that it is well-ordered,fitting, and beautiful.

Man needs at times the relaxation of play, whether in words or deeds. For man is liable to weariness of mind and soul, as of body. He finds rest in bodily repose, and in mentaldivertisement. Now, the body takes rest, not only in quietinaction, but also in games. And the soul finds an easing of tensions in lighter occupations, among which are games or play ofnonathletic type. Since there is need of ordinate-ness or good order in necessary relaxation, there is a virtue respecting recreation and games. Aristotle *(Ethic. i v 8) calls this virtue * eutra-pelia, which means “the habit of a pleasant and cheerful turn of mind.” This virtue of eutrapelia finds outer manifestation in attitudes, words,and actions. The function of this virtue brings it under the head of modesty as decorum. Eutrapelia, the virtue of a pleasing turn for games, relaxation, and recreation, requiresregulating by certain conditions: (a) games, and other modes of pleasure in recreation, must include nothing indecent or injurious;(b) a person must not be completely lost in his addiction to favorite pastimes; (c) all recreational activities must be suitablyordered with references to persons, times,and places, and other circumstances which can influence the character and effect ofhuman action.

Play goes beyond reason and sins by excess when it is either (a) discourteous, scandalous, obscene or insolent, or (b)inordinate in point of circumstances-place, time, etc. The first type of inordinate-ness in games or play is sinful in itself, and may easily be mortally sinful. The second type is mortally sinful if it would make a person disobey the laws of God or the Church;if, for instance, a Catholic were willing to miss Mass on Sunday rather than forgo a game in which he is avidly interested. But, forthe most part, excess in games and in addiction to them is notmortally sinful.

It is not reasonable for a person to be whollymirthless, and to make himself a dull burden to others in their recreation and games. Such a person is rude and boorish, and his conduct is from a vice rather than from a virtue. Lack of mirth,however, is less unreasonable than excess of mirth.