MAGNANIMITY. - 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 neighbour. It may be said that, on the path of moral perfection, m. has a coordinating and perfecting function among the virtues.
Indeed, m. impels all the virtues to put this generous line of conduct into practice in confronting arduous situations. Although it has no distinct material object, it has as its formal object, exclusively its own, the habitual disposition of the person to perform any arduous action, whatever virtue it may belong to, not precisely because it is the object of one virtue or another, but solely because it is arduous and therefore unattainable without considerable strength of soul. It should, however, be borne in mind that m. is not presumption (since it does not induce one to do that for which the person’s powers are inadequate); it is not ambition (since it has no disordered love of honours); it is not vainglory (since it does not love in a disordered manner). The conduct of the magnanimous man consists in pursuing his lofty purposes without regard for money, health, fame (which will come, but as a consequence of his works), or even life.
Opposed to m. is pusillanimity, which is the disposition of one who, through excessive fear of failure, remains inactive and avoids action. In order to avoid false steps, he inevitably condemns himself to inertia.