278 Global Ethics for Leadership
ades of the 1st century because Samaritans had desecrated the Jewish
Temple at Passover with human bones.
As the story reached those who were unaware of the oppression of
the Samaritans, this aspect of the parable became less and less discerni-
ble: fewer and fewer people ever heard of them in any context other than
as a description. Today, the story is often recast in a more modern set-
ting where the people are set in equivalent social groups known not to
interact comfortably. Thus, cast appropriately, the parable regains its
message to modern listeners: namely, that an individual of a social
group they disapprove of can exhibit moral behavior that is superior to
individuals of the groups they approve.
22.3 Compassion – Sharing the Suffering
Virtues^226 are the power to do good by exhibiting qualities that are
held to be of great moral value, moral excellence and goodness. The
virtues come from God. They are heavenly and the most noble gifts with
which the Creator invested the human beings. They belong to the inert
abilities/talents entrusted to all human beings, which is to be “made the
most of”, that is to make use of these abilities so that they will bring
blessing (interest) to humanity as a whole.
We as human beings are not immediately equipped with ready-made
virtues. We all must see to it that we awaken and blossom these abili-
ties/talents. For every virtue or noble qualities that steers in us, there is
assurance of receiving corresponding stimulus, animation and strength-
ening from God, whether they be for example; faithfulness, truthfulness,
grace, modesty, diligence, heroism, courage, skills, fulfilment of duty,
wisdom, humility or compassion.
226
References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compassion (accessed 7 May
2016); Vollmann, Herbert, A Gate Opens – The Virtues, Part II, Lecture 3, Place,
Year, 146 – 149.