Virtues don't live in a vacuum.

Ever hear someone justify a mean comment with honesty? They'll just walk up to you and say, "Hey, you're ugly."

Ouch. Also, not helpful. Being honest about feeling someone is unattractive isn't an expression of virtuousness, even if it's technically honest.

Honesty may be a virtue, but its virtuousness does not live in a vacuum. It exists within a context. There is no such thing as pure honesty, justice, temperance, or any other virtue. They all coexist in an ecosystem, where they contextualize and balance one another.

Honesty is tempered by other virtues like courtesy, consideration, and love. Maybe someone isn't looking their finest today. Guided by consideration as a virtue, you might ask yourself: "What good would telling them they look bad do?" Taking it a step further, with love and care in mind: "Are they okay? Maybe I can ask if something's wrong and offer help."

If expressing a virtue — especially through action — does not lead to good or, worse, causes harm, then why express it? That expression ceases to be virtuous.

Ideological purity, the elevation of a single value above all others, distorts expressions of good. It twists admirable qualities, masquerading them as beneficial when they often cause harm.

Next time you think about cultivating a specific virtue, ask yourself: what other virtues are needed to support its cultivation?