What is Generosity?

When we are overly attached to our possessions, we can begin to value them over others; likewise, when others are in need and we refuse to help them, we contribute not to their good but to their harm. As such, a virtue of giving to others in need is beneficial both for the sake of fostering love for others and for offering them what is their due. The virtue of Generosity, or Liberality, involves the free gift of one's excess possessions for the sake of those more in need of them, relinquishing any undue attachment we may have to wealth.

This involves a mean between miserly attachment to our goods, where we refuse to give from our excess means, and a reckless, excessive giving where our own livelihood becomes threatened. Likewise, while generosity is not justice per se (since we give freely from what is ours, not returning to others what is theirs), generosity can be a salve that heals the wounds of injustice, in case someone has lost something they own and a generous person gives from their surplus to make up what is lacking for the other.

How do we develop Generosity?

We develop this virtue by reflecting on our own means, what a virtuous mean of giving might look like, and the choice to relinquish one's attachments to excess wealth. This does not mean one should recklessly consider everything not devoted to absolute needs as 'excess'; there is a need for relaxation after work, for example, and one's station in life can lead to more or less expenditure on other things (such as a house for a new family, or a good suit for a businessman). A virtuous mean must be determined.