Two of My Favorite Words
There are a couple of words that are favorites of mine. Both of them happen to be loaded with meaning.
Fortitude
I love that word, fortitude. Perhaps you will love it too, after you read the entire definition of it from Webster’s 1828 Dictionary.
Fortitude: That strength or firmness of mind or soul which enables a person to encounter danger with coolness and courage, or to bear pain or adversity without murmuring, depression or despondency. Fortitude is the basis or source of genuine courage or intrepidity in danger, of patience in suffering, in forbearance under injuries, and of **magnanimity in all conditions of life.
We sometimes confound the effect with the cause, and use fortitude as synonymous with courage or patience; but courage is an active virtue or vice and patience is the effect of fortitude.
Still with me? Here is the definition of magnanimity since it is part of the definition of fortitude.
**Magnanimity: Greatness of mind; that elevation of dignity of soul, which encounters danger and trouble with tranquility and firmness, which raises the possessor above revenge, and makes him delight in acts of benevolence, which makes him disdain injustice and meanness, and prompts him to sacrifice personal ease, interest and safety for the accomplishment of useful and noble objects. [This is all part of fortitude!]
There you have it. Fortitude is loaded with good and noble meanings.
The second word that I really like is actually not an English word, but a Hebrew word. The English word that we usually use to replace it simply does not convey even half of the depth of meaning that is does in the Hebrew.
Shalom
We usually replace shalom with our English word, peace, but shalom has a much greater depth of meaning. Here it is.
Shalom: safety, happiness, welfare, prosperity, rest, peace, health, favor, quiet, completeness, soundness, contentment, tranquility, friendship.
Reader, may you become fortitudinous in your character and may you be blessed with abundant shalom. Comments welcome.