Virtue of Necessity

I believe there is a world of difference between a necessary virtue and a virtue of necessity. While a necessary virtue is a virtue in the proper sense and it's a virtue irrespective of who practices and when it is practiced. For instance, hope is a necessary virtue at all times. We know we are not beings fashioned  once and for all and we time and again hope to better our lives. On the contrary, a virtue of necessity is subjective and conditioned to particular time and to particular persons. In short, it is the justification of one's errors. Let me illustrate with a practical example that you and I are well acquainted with in our every day life. You see some people to be extremely courteous and respectful all of a sudden to your surprise. You begin to wonder what produced such a change in a person who cared not whether you existed previously or not. Some time most probably s/he may come to you for some help or other. Continuation of your relationship much depends on how you respond to. Here being respectful is a virtue of necessity. Our politicians are the best examples!

 On the contrary we come across men and women who in good times and bad times profess the integrity of conscience. They prefer to die rather to sacrifice the ideals the stand for. Simple difference between virtue of necessity and a necessary virtue is its necessity itself. To be better human I have no need to act in front of someone much less I need to advertise my little deeds. However, I need to be loving, caring, truthful, trusting to be able to become everyday a better human person from what I was the day gone by. 
In short, virtue is a matter of conviction not of convenience. Bribing, stealing, murdering will never become virtues just because you think there is a necessity to do so. To be a better human is a pressing need than anything else. 

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