Benevolence: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ค
benevolence
[bษชหnษvษlษns ]
Definition
kindness
Benevolence is the quality of being kind and helpful. It is the act of doing good deeds without expecting anything in return. It is often associated with charity and generosity towards others.
Synonyms
charity, compassion, generosity, kindness.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| benevolence |
Used to describe an action or attitude that shows a desire to do good to others. It often refers to a quality of a person or an action driven by altruism.
|
| kindness |
Refers to the quality of being friendly, considerate, and gentle. It can describe both small, everyday acts and larger gestures.
|
| generosity |
Highlights the quality of being willing to give more of something, such as money or time, than is strictly necessary or expected.
|
| charity |
Typically refers to the act of giving money, goods, or time to those in need. It is often associated with organizations that help people.
|
| compassion |
Refers to a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering. It emphasizes feeling and understanding pain or hardship and wanting to help.
|
Examples of usage
- She showed great benevolence towards the less fortunate.
- His benevolence knew no bounds as he helped everyone in need.
- The community was grateful for his benevolence in times of crisis.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from Latin 'benevolentia', where 'bene' means 'well' or 'good', and 'volent' means 'wishing' or 'willing'.
- In the 14th century, it was adopted into English, maintaining its meaning of kindness and goodwill.
- Its roots in 'bene' connect it to other English words like 'benefit' and 'benefactor', highlighting a theme of doing good.
Philosophy
- Philosophers like Immanuel Kant argued that benevolence should be a guiding principle in ethical decision-making.
- Utilitarianism advocates for actions that promote the greatest happiness, which often involves benevolent behavior.
- The concept has been debated in terms of whether it is a moral obligation or a virtue of character.
Psychology
- Studies show that acts of benevolence can increase personal happiness and well-being.
- Psychologists point out that kindness creates a positive feedback loopโwhen you help others, it can boost your own mood.
- Benevolent actions have been linked to improved relationships and increased trust within communities.
Culture
- Many cultures value benevolence as a key principle in social interactions, promoting empathy and altruism.
- In Chinese culture, the concept of 'ren' embodies the idea of benevolence as a core virtue in Confucian teachings.
- Religious teachings across the world, from Buddhism to Christianity, often highlight benevolence as a fundamental moral goal.
Literature
- Benevolent characters are often depicted as heroes or saviors in novels, showcasing the power of kindness.
- Classic works like Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' illustrate the transformation of characters through acts of benevolence.
- Poets and writers have praised benevolence as a noble trait, linking it to human compassion and societal progress.
Translations
Translations of the word "benevolence" in other languages:
๐ต๐น benevolรชncia
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฆเคฏเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช Wohlwollen
๐ฎ๐ฉ kebaikan
๐บ๐ฆ ะดะพะฑัะพะทะธัะปะธะฒัััั
๐ต๐ฑ dobroฤ
๐ฏ๐ต ๆ ๅ
๐ซ๐ท bienveillance
๐ช๐ธ benevolencia
๐น๐ท iyilik
๐ฐ๐ท ์ ์
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฎูุฑูุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ dobrosrdeฤnost
๐ธ๐ฐ dobroฤinnosลฅ
๐จ๐ณ ไปๆ
๐ธ๐ฎ dobrodelnost
๐ฎ๐ธ velvild
๐ฐ๐ฟ าะฐะนัััะผะดัะปัา
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแแแแกแฃแ แแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ xeyirxahlฤฑq
๐ฒ๐ฝ benevolencia
Word Frequency Rank
Ranked #10,873, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.
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- 10876 binder
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