virtue

a paragon of virtue

One who has perfect, unimpeachable moral or ethical values; one who has no faults or imperfections. Often used ironically or sarcastically. He's up there criticizing people for going against the ethos of the church, but he's hardly a paragon of virtue himself. You don't have to be a paragon of virtue, I just expect you to treat others with the kindness and respect you would want for yourself.
See also: of, virtue

by virtue of (something)

Due to something; because of something; by reason of something. By virtue of your years of hard work and experience, we think you would be well-suited to a managerial role. I know that you feel the need to intervene by virtue of your role as a father, but you need to allow your children a greater degree of independence.
See also: by, of, virtue

extoll the virtues of (someone or something)

To highlight and praise the positive aspects of someone or something. My mother is always extolling the virtues of meditation, but it just doesn't do anything for me.
See also: extoll, of, virtue

in virtue of (something)

Due to something; because of something; by reason of something. In virtue of your years of hard work and experience in the company, we think you would be well-suited to a managerial role within the company. I know that you feel the need to intervene in virtue of your role as a father, but you need to allow your children a greater degree of independence.
See also: of, virtue

lady of easy virtue

euphemism A prostitute. A: "I think that Lord Stewart is spending time with a lady of easy virtue." B: "No, surely not!"
See also: easy, lady, of, virtue

make a virtue of necessity

To attend to an obligation with a good attitude; to make the best of a situation in which one is required to do something. There will be many times in your life where you have to do something you don't want to, so it's best to learn very early how to make a virtue of necessity.
See also: make, necessity, of, virtue

of easy virtue

Given to sexual promiscuity, especially in exchange for money. A derogatory euphemism said almost exclusively of a woman. Of course, a woman of easy virtue will be the first one to be blamed in such a situation, ostracized and condemned as she already is in the public eye. I think that Lord Stewart is spending time with a lady of easy virtue.
See also: easy, of, virtue

patience is a virtue

proverb Having patience is a very beneficial trait that will improve one's life. A: "But Mommy, I want the ice cream NOW!" B: "Honey, I said you could have some after we got home. Patience is a virtue, you know." I've got to wait another two weeks to find out how I did on the exam. Oh well, I suppose patience is a virtue.
See also: patience, virtue

virtue is her own reward

proverb Doing something because it is morally or ethically correct should be more important and satisfying than receiving some kind of tangible reward for doing so. More commonly written as "virtue is its own reward" in modern English. A: "I went through all that trouble to find her missing dog, and all she gave me was a homemade cookie!" B: "Ah well, virtue is her own reward." No, thank you, I couldn't possibly accept that—virtue is her own reward, and I wouldn't feel comfortable taking money from you for what I did.
See also: own, reward, virtue

virtue is its own reward

proverb Doing something because it is morally or ethically correct should be more important and satisfying than receiving some kind of tangible reward for doing so. A: "I went through all that trouble to find her missing dog, and all she gave me was a homemade cookie!" B: " Ah well, virtue is its own reward." No, thank you, I couldn't possibly accept that—virtue is its own reward, and I wouldn't feel comfortable taking money from you for what I did.
See also: own, reward, virtue

virtue signaling

Publicly sharing or stating something, especially on social media or in a political context, that is intended to indicate and/or emphasize one's values or moral convictions. The term is often used in a derogatory way to criticize doing so as superficial or as intended to garner praise or admiration. I hope I'm wrong, but her anger about this issue strikes me as virtue signaling.
See also: signal, virtue
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

by virtue of something

because of something; due to something. She's permitted to vote by virtue of her age. They are members of the club by virtue of their great wealth.
See also: by, of, virtue

make a virtue of necessity

Prov. to do what you have to do cheerfully or willingly. When Bill's mother became sick, there was no one but Bill to take care of her, so Bill made a virtue of necessity and resolved to enjoy their time together.
See also: make, necessity, of, virtue

Patience is a virtue.

Prov. It is good to be patient. Jill: I wish Mary would hurry up and call me back! Jane: Patience is a virtue. Fred: The doctor has kept us waiting for half an hour! If he doesn't call us into his office pretty soon, I may do something violent. Ellen: Calm down, dear. Patience is a virtue.
See also: patience, virtue

Virtue is its own reward.

Prov. You should not be virtuous in hopes of getting a reward, but because it makes you feel good to be virtuous. Bill: If I help you, will you pay me? Fred: Virtue is its own reward.
See also: own, reward, virtue
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

by virtue of

Also in virtue of. On the grounds of, by reason of, as in By virtue of a large inheritance she could easily afford not to work. [Early 1300s]
See also: by, of, virtue

make a virtue of necessity

Do the best one can under given circumstances, as in Since he can't break the contract, Bill's making a virtue of necessity. This expression first appeared in English in Chaucer's The Knight's Tale: "Then is it wisdom, as it thinketh me, to make virtue of necessity." Also see make the best of.
See also: make, necessity, of, virtue
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

of easy virtue

(of a woman) promiscuous.
Easy in the sense of ‘sexually compliant’ is found in Shakespeare 's Cymbeline: ‘Not a whit, Your lady being so easy’.
See also: easy, of, virtue

make a virtue of necessity

derive some credit or benefit from an unwelcome obligation.
This is a concept found in Latin in the writings of St Jerome: facis de necessitate virtutem ‘you make a virtue of necessity’. It passed into Old French (faire de necessité vertu ) and was apparently first used in English around 1374 by Chaucer in Troilus and Criseyde.
1997 Spectator How important it is for humanity always to make a virtue out of necessity.
See also: make, necessity, of, virtue
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a paragon of ˈvirtue

a person who is without faults; a completely perfect person: We don’t expect all election candidates to be paragons of virtue.
See also: of, virtue

by/in ˈvirtue of something

(formal) because of something: I was invited to a party at the embassy simply by virtue of being British.
See also: by, of, something, virtue

make a ˌvirtue of neˈcessity

act in a good or moral way, and perhaps expect praise for this, not because you chose to but because in that particular situation you had no choice
See also: make, necessity, of, virtue

ˌvirtue is its own reˈward

(saying) the reward for acting in a moral or correct way is the knowledge that you have done so, and you should not expect more than this, for example praise from other people or payment
See also: own, reward, virtue
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

make a virtue of necessity, to

To make the best of things. This expression dates from the time of Chaucer, who may have been its originator in English (“Thanne is it wisdom, as it thinketh me, To maken virtu of necessitie,” The Knight’s Tale); there are still earlier versions in Latin. It has been repeated ever since. See also make the best of it.
See also: make, of, virtue
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • cooking for one
  • drive (one) out of office
  • force (one) out of office
  • force out of office
  • as one door closes, another (one) opens
  • as one door closes, another one opens
  • as one door closes, another opens
  • give (one) (one's) head
  • give head
  • give somebody their head
References in periodicals archive
What is virtue identity and how it is related to a self-of-virtue?
Here the author argues that although Aquinas's conception of causation was founded on a metaphysical relationship between virtue and its causes, which would not be supported by modern scholarship, it retains its applicability within modern ethics as a methodological principle.
Virtue theory is a very large topic, with many books and articles devoted to it, so I can only make a few broad recommendations about some salient points here.
Austin also shows himself conversant with more philosophically inclined appropriators of Aristotle's and Aquinas's virtue ethics (Julia Annas, Robert Adams, Philippa Foot, Eleonore Stump, Jean Porter), as well as recent controversies in other fields (causality in metaphysics, situationism in psychology).
In Justice as a Virtue, author Jean Porter (John A.
In other words, in the opinion of the author, both today's post-Vatican II Catholic ecclesiology and the Catholic understanding of civic virtue contain implicit or explicit Thomistic elements.
(6) In addition, some social ethicists such as Maureen O'Connell have demonstrated that virtue can provide a helpful framework for approaching political theology in new ways.
Chandrashekhar (Virtue Spa- Meditation to nurture and emotionally strong and morally uplifted baby)
Compassion is a virtue that falls neatly into the humanity category.
A virtue approach, by contrast, is all about qualities.
Alferi stressed that the launch of the book at the university will help in spreading the culture of the promotion of virtue and the prevention of vice.
The lowest grade virtue is from Confession to Forgiveness, 2 steps up.
Four major types of ethical philosophical theories are egoism, teleology, deontology, and virtue ethics.
Chapter Three begins the analysis of and focus upon the virtue element of Morton's theory.
But Dogen warns against what philosophers would call the semblance of a virtue, that is, the mere outward appearance of virtue that does not reveal one's true inner disposition.