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. It can be said that on the path of moral perfection magnanimity has a function of coordination and of perfecting among the virtues.
Magnanimity in fact impels all the virtues to carry out this generous line of conduct in order to face difficult situations. Although it does not possess a distinct material object, it has as its formal object, exclusively its own, 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 virtue or another, but only because it is arduous and therefore unattainable without a considerable strength of soul. It must be borne in mind, however, that magnanimity is not presumption (since it does not induce one to do what the person's powers are inadequate for); it is not ambition (since it does not have an disordered love of honors); it is not vainglory (since it does not love in a disordered way). The conduct of the magnanimous man is to pursue his noble purposes without regard for money, health, fame (this will come, but as a consequence of his works) and not even for life itself.
Opposed to magnanimity is pusillanimity, which is the attitude of one who, through excessive fear of failure, remains inactive and shuns action. In order to avoid missteps he inevitably condemns himself to inertia.
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Lorenzo Simeone