Sefer ha-midot (Book of Virtues)

Noble-mindedness is a very fine character trait in the soul of man, and it extends in many directions: primarily in three, which are, noble-mindedness in wisdom, noble-mindedness in power, and noble-mindedness in wealth. The concept of noble-mindedness may be understood as follows: one who possesses one of these three fine traits, or two of them, or all three, or just one of their particular elements, and whose soul is desirous of assisting individuals other than himself, or the community as a whole, by making practical use of these, without seeking reward or monetary gain, or without obtaining honor from other human beings for what he has done save through just means; one who perceives that it is befitting and proper to act in this way, and appreciates that happy is the man who has the merit of helping and shielding the Almighty’s creatures, or of performing a good deed desired by God—such a one may be described as noble-minded. Now the nobility of wisdom consists of acquiring other men’s souls by the words of one’s mouth, so as to bring them close to the Torah and to teach them knowledge and the ways of uprightness, to save their souls from destruction; and in similar vein, we find this in connection with those who gave instruction to the craftsmen in all the wisdom pertaining to the requisite practical skills employed when they were engaged in the sacred labor—i.e., in the construction of God’s eternal temple—as it states in scripture: “For every willing man that has skill” (I Chronicles 28:21). Nobility in power consists of assisting others through one’s strength and might—namely, one who will put his life at risk in fighting the battles of the Almighty on behalf of his people and on behalf of the cities of his God; and hence it is written in the Song of Deborah, concerning those men whose nobleminded spirit inspired them to do battle against Sisera and his camp: “They who offered themselves willingly among the people: bless the Lord!” (Judges 5:9). Nobility in regard to wealth consists of assisting others, or of donating to a good cause, from one’s wealth and one’s possessions, as scripture states in connection with the construction of the tabernacle: “Whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it,” etc.,—“gold and silver and brass” (Exodus 35:5). Accordingly, the general principle is: any deed of substance that a person carries out, which he is not obliged to perform, and which many other people’s natural disposition would lead them to shrink from performing—and he nonetheless performs it without hankering after any of the benefits which the inclination within a man’s heart covets—such an individual may justly be described as nobleminded.