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Essay / Flanag The relationship between virtue and happiness
For example, self-control and endurance are two important virtuous qualities, but they can harm a person or make them unhappy if practiced in the wrong situations , for example, someone who endures in a corrupting marriage or sues a bankrupt business. Likewise, a courageous person may think of suicide. Lack of balance between your virtues like compassion, justice, morality and wisdom in these situations will definitely lead to the desire to die. Therefore, what is difficult seems to be a deficient virtue and not an additional virtue. Additionally, a person who values honesty and always tells the truth is a virtuous person, however, this same person may resort to lying in particular situations. So when the virtues involve personal pain, the idea of purpose or need becomes very important because it is deeply dependent on self-control. Self-control becomes extremely important when the virtues involve stepping out of the person's comfort zone. Here you can distinguish one virtuous person from others. A virtuous person can control themselves and follow rules and morals, while people without self-control but claiming to be virtuous might forget their morals and values in certain situations. In conclusion, I argue that there is a connection between the virtues and happiness, however I have shown some situations in which the virtues can lead to unhappiness or confusion.