magnanimity

generosity and forgiveness

TRANSLATION

magnanimity = die Großzügigkeit, der Großmut, Großherzigkeit, Edelmut, Seelengröße

STATISTICS

IN THE PRESS

“Tony Blair’s MAGNANIMITY will not change public opinion - his decision to donate his book proceeds to injured soldiers may be genuine, but it won’t alter the consensus on the Iraq war.”

John Kampfner - The Guardian

Did you
know?

magnanimity
noun (formal)

- kindness and generosity, especially towards an enemy or someone you have defeated

Cambridge Dictionary


ORIGIN

mid-14c., from Latin magnanimitās, from magna “big” + animus “soul, spirit” — the virtue of being great of mind and heart. It encompasses, usually, a refusal to be small-minded, a willingness to face danger, and actions for noble purposes.

Probably a loan-translation of Greek megalopsykhos “high-souled, generous” (Aristotle) or megathymus “great-hearted.”

As a footnote, I always have to smile when crediting the Ancient Greeks (fond memories "My Big Fat Greek Wedding")


One form of magnanimity is the generosity of the victor to the defeated. For example, as codified by the Geneva Conventions.


SYNONYMS

benevolence, generosity, nobility, beneficence, big-heartedness, charity, munificence, selflessness, unselfishness, charitableness, great-heartedness, high-mindedness, humanity, kindness, largesse, philanthropy, fairness, forgiveness, generousness


Practice OWAD into an English conversation today, say something like:

“Having given away over $3 billion to end polio, Bill Gates’ MAGNANIMITY is unsurpassed”


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