“Magnanimity is not a quality of princes; it is a fortunate circumstance, essential to
their authority, and often the effect of their fear.”—Voltaire
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“In war: resolution. In defeat: defiance. In victory: magnanimity. In peace: goodwill.” So said Sir Winston Churchill, widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the 20th century.
Magnanimity is derived from the Latin roots “magn,” which means “great,” and “anima,” which translates to “soul.” This virtue embodies greatness of mind and heart, typically characterized by a rejection of pettiness, a readiness to confront danger, and actions driven by noble intentions. Its opposite is pusillanimity, which refers to timidity and cowardice, preventing individuals from realizing their full potential.
Both concepts were introduced by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who regarded magnanimity as “the crowning virtue.”
In The Faerie Queene, the English poet Edmund Spenser assigned each knight an allegorical representation of a virtue. For example, Prince Arthur embodies “magnificence,” often considered synonymous with “magnanimity.” The ancient Greek philosopher Democritus, known as the “laughing philosopher” for his focus on the importance of cheerfulness, stated that “magnanimity involves enduring rudeness with gentleness.”
As an adjective, the concept is expressed as “magnanimous,” that is, “He is a magnanimous person.”
If you remain uncertain about the meaning of magnanimity, consider the following story from Walter D. Cavert’s Ours Is The Faith, which illustrates the concept effectively. This anecdote recounts the life of Peter Miller, a pastor of a small Baptist church in Ephrata, Philadelphia, during the American Revolution. Miller was beloved by the community, apart from one individual who rejected all forms of religion and consistently opposed the church’s stance on various matters. This man, who was no supporter of the American Colonial cause, had been apprehended for treason and faced a death sentence.
What happened next was magnanimity in action. Cavert wrote: “The minister walked 60 miles to plead with George Washington for the man’s pardon. Regretfully, the general shook his head. ‘I’m sorry, but I cannot grant your request to spare your friend.’
“Quietly, Miller replied, ‘My friend? He is my worst enemy.’
“Amazed, Washington exclaimed: ‘What! You have walked all this distance to save an enemy? Then how can I do other than pardon him!’”
Magnanimity, contends British novelist C.P. Snow, is a “major virtue which at any level sweetens life, and at the highest glorifies it.”
American pastor Harry Emerson Fosdick points out, “No man ever saved anybody, or served any cause, or left any enduring impression, who was not willing to forget indignities, bear no grudges. The world’s saviors have all, in one way or another, loved their enemies and done them good.”
Indeed, the world is most enriched by individuals who act rather than merely discussing their intentions. This was exemplified by Johann Olav Koss, the standout athlete of the 1994 Winter Olympic Games held in Killehammer, Norway. As a local favorite, he achieved remarkable success, securing three gold medals and setting three world records in the 1,500-, 5,000-, and 10,000-meter events.
Perhaps, no one was as surprised as Koss when he won his first medal. “There was so much joy over this gold medal that it made me think a little bit before the next race,” he was quoted as saying. “I decided, if this will happen to me again, I want to give the bonus that I get to Olympic Aid… It made me strong, I think, to be skating for someone else.”
During a press conference following his second gold medal victory, Koss made a surprising announcement: he would donate all of his bonus earnings from equipment sponsors and the Norwegian Olympic Committee to Olympic Aid, amounting to over US$175,000. He also urged his fellow countrymen to contribute 10 kroner for each gold medal won by Norway. This call to action resulted in an overwhelming response, generating more than US$200,000 during the games and reaching nearly a million dollars in the subsequent period.
One form of magnanimity is the generosity of the victor to the defeated. Take the case of John D. Rockefeller, who was known for his amazing business success in the United States. He had also a greater reputation among those who knew him well “as a man who was understanding.” He had a sincere appreciation for other people and was willing to accept failure if an honest attempt had been made at success.
When one of his partners, Edward T. Bedford, failed in a business venture, which cost Rockefeller’s company a million dollars, Rockefeller responded with a statement that it has become classic in business lore.
Rockefeller didn’t criticize Bedford because he knew he had done his best. He called Bedford to his office. “I think it is honorable that you were able to salvage 60 percent of the money you invested in the South American venture,” he reportedly told him. “That’s not bad; in fact, it’s splendid. We don’t always do as well as that upstairs.”
That elevation or dignity of soul, which makes him delight in acts of benevolence, and prompts him to sacrifice personal ease and interest for the accomplishment of useful and noble objects. That is how Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of the American Language defines magnanimity.
“Magnanimity,” said Jim Rohn, “is not a product of ignorance. It is a product of wisdom.”—
