MAGNANIMITY. – It usually denotes greatness of soul and nobility of character. Within the framework of the virtues, it is the generous disposition to accomplish great things for God and for one’s neighbor. One may say that, along the path of moral perfection, magnanimity has the function of coordinating and perfecting the virtues.
For magnanimity indeed impels all the virtues to adopt this generous line of conduct in facing difficult situations. Although it does not possess a distinct material object, its formal object—exclusively its own—is the habitual disposition of the person to perform any arduous action belonging to any virtue whatsoever, not precisely because it is the object of one or another virtue, but solely because it is arduous and therefore unattainable without a notable strength of soul. Yet it must be borne in mind that magnanimity is not presumption (inasmuch as it does not induce one to undertake what exceeds one’s powers); it is not ambition (inasmuch as it does not involve a disordered love of honors); and it is not vainglory (inasmuch as it does not involve a disordered love of praise). The conduct of the magnanimous man is to pursue his lofty purposes without regard for wealth, health, or fame (which will come, but as a consequence of his works), nor even for life itself.
Magnanimity is opposed to pusillanimity, which is the attitude of one who, through excessive fear of failure, remains inactive and shuns action. Thus, to avoid missteps, he inevitably condemns himself to inertia.