Virtue Beyond Loss

 


In Japan, it has long been believed that even actions that seem like short-term personal losses can, if they ultimately benefit others and society, help us accumulate virtue. Over time, such virtue can improve our character and fortune, leading to positive outcomes. In today’s consumer society, where materialistic values dominate, willingly accepting superficial losses for the sake of virtue is easier said than done. Yet we are reminded again of the enduring importance of this mindset and its practice.

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