PUSILLANIMITY. - Etymologically (animus pusillus) it denotes a weak mind, a small spirit; it is used at times in a good moral sense (Is. 35:4; 1 Thess. 5:14); but generally it is used in a pejorative moral sense (Ps. 54:9; Sir. 7:9; Lk. 12:28; Col. 3:21), and it may be defined as: the disposition of spirit of one who withdraws from the duty and the sacrifice of confronting or pursuing something, because he judges it to be beyond the powers at his disposal, whereas it is not.
The Gospel depicts the pusillanimous person very well in the servant to whom the master, about to set out on a long journey, entrusts a talent to trade with; out of fear of the risk the servant carefully hides it; and on the master's return he rejoices at being able to bring it back to him intact, but the master responds with an open and stern condemnation (Mt. 25:14-26).
As for the moral gravity of this defect, it must be said that in general it is only slight, unless it prevents the fulfillment of a grave duty and leads one to omit the means necessary for eternal salvation. Thus public authorities who through p. fail to correct defects or grave public scandals, out of apprehension of not succeeding, of doing useless and harmful work; the same holds for parents, unless it is a matter of a prudent postponement in order to prevent greater evils or to ensure success by intervening at a more opportune time (v. TOLLERANZA). Whoever in time of persecution or in places of religious intolerance, through exaggerated apprehension of not having the necessary moral strength to profess the faith externally, when the duty urges, conceals it or subscribes to unlawful oaths, sins gravely (cf. cann. 2205, 2229). Whoever, tormented by long-lasting and grave temptations, or perhaps in the face of more or less frequent falls, lets himself go without reacting and without using the means at his disposal to overcome the temptations, convinced that there is nothing more to be done, sins gravely.
P. brings grave evils to individuals and to society. The individual is morally paralyzed in good works, induced to evil works by yielding to human respect; allowing the wicked to take courage. The strength of the wicked is the p. of those who believe themselves good.
The causes of p. are either of a moral nature or, more often, of a psychopathic nature (fixed ideas, lymphatic or timid temperament, melancholy, etc.); it is evident that in this second hypothesis the individual must be judged responsible for any omissions, bearing in mind the principles relating to these states of mind, and must be cared for with the necessary attentions by those close to him, with the precaution of not exposing him to trials beyond his capacities. In its moral form the remedies are the assiduous formation of character, the conviction of the cowardice of human respect, and the consideration of magnanimous examples.
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