Joseph Pearce on Virtue Being Greater than Virtuosity

"What is the primary purpose of education? Is it to enable our children to be successful in a worldly sense? Is it primarily meant to pave the pathway to a remunerative career? Or is it to enable our children to be successful in that other-worldly sense, in which they are shown how to become holy? Is it primarily meant to pave the pathway to heaven? As Christian parents we will presumably agree that the primary purpose of education is to teach our children what it takes to be holy, but I'm sure that most of us hope that our children will also be able to look after themselves financially at some point and that this goal, though secondary, should also form a part of their education. It is, therefore, not either/or but both/and, as long as we put things in the right order.

"If, however, the primary purpose of education is the attainment of heavenly health, as distinct from worldly wealth, we need to teach our children the difference between being good and being the best. The paradox is that being good is better than being the best, and that being the best is not always the best thing to be."

In a recent commentary, Joseph Pearce, Senior Editor at the Augustine Institute and Tolkien & Lewis Chair in Literary Studies at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, reflected on priorities that should be considered as we focus on what is important in our lives.

To access Mr. Pearce's complete essay, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Blogs: Joseph Pearce: Virtue is Greater Than Virtuosity (2 FEB 19)