I think it's virtue up to a point, although that point is variable and hard to define. Maybe it has to do with being patient up until the moment when doing so becomes counter-productive or harmful to you. There's only some degree of patience in everyone and it should stop when people take advantage of you or disrespect you, for example. Then it would not be foolish to stand up for yourself or put an end to that situation.

Almost always it seems decisions made while anxious are the wrong ones. When you feel pressured its probably for bad reasons. On the other hand - I'm not sure virtue is a virtue??? Sometimes virtue can be the wrong choice.

From "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996): "Patience is a virtue. The ability to wait for something without excessive frustration is a valuable character trait. The proverb has been traced back to 'Piers Plowman' (1377) by William Langland and is similar to the Latin, Maxima enim..patientia virtus (Patience is the greatest virtue) and the French, Patience est une grant vertu. (Patience is a great value.) Some ten years after Langland, Chaucer wrote in 'The Canterbury Tales' (1386) that 'Patience is a high virtue.' Sometimes followed by the wry rejoinder 'but virtue can hurt you.' First cited in the United States in 1724 in the 'Works of Thomas Chalkley' (1766)..." http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/4/messages/1250.html The patience of man, which is right and laudable and worthy of the name of virtue, is understood to be that by which we tolerate evil things with an even mind, that we may not with a mind uneven desert good things, through which we may arrive at better. Wherefore the impatient, while they will not suffer ills, effect not a deliverance from ills, but only the suffering of heavier ills. Whereas the patient who choose rather by not committing to bear, than by not bearingto commit, evil, both make lighter what through patience they suffer, and also escape worse ills in which through impatience they would be sunk...Patience is companion of wisdom, not handmaid of concupiscence: patience is the friend of a good conscience, not the foe of innocence. http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1315.htm Patience is recognized within Hinduism in the Bhagavad Gita. In both Hinduism and Buddhism there is a particular emphasis on meditation, aspects of which lead to a natural state of mindfulness that is conducive to patient, effective and well-organised thought. Patience is the greatest of all virtues. Cato the Elder (234 BC - 149 BC). Patience is the companion of wisdom. Saint Augustine (354 AD - 430 AD). Our patience will achieve more than our force. Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797). If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention, than to any other talent. Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727). A little boy me went fishing in a wooden boat Sitting there for hours in the cold Patience is a virtue til we die Then a ripple in the water caught my eye. Sometimes we don't know what we're waiting for That's the time to be the first one on the dance floor We go from green to blue to go to black Breathe deep, who knows how long will this last.

no, not really.

In my humble opinion,I think patience is a great virtue,because it's something so hard,we can't endure anything in this life. We get quickly frustrated,dissapointed and even embittred. Sometimes we don't have the strength to go on,to persevere,we block,get down. But with patience we can achieve our goals,we can achieve miracles. May be patience is bitter but its fruite are so sweet!!!

Being content, could result in an catatonic state.

Life is not a 30 minute sitcom. It takes time to resolve problems. Without patience, you'd never stick out a problem long enough to solve it. In fact, this is the major reason for our current economic woes. People have been too impatient for too long.

Sometimes being patient and observant can give one a huge advantage.

It's just like anything else the value lies in using it wisely. Patience for the wrong reasons (ie: reluctance to make a decision or to speak up for yourself) is as bad as or worse than raging impatience. Patience isn't always ultimately the right choice but it is a good place to start. You can always go raging into impatience later if need be.

Yes. No to either. For the most part- yes. Revenge is a dish best served cold.