Virtu vs. Virtue — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024
Virtu refers to an appreciation of artistic or antique objects, while virtue represents moral excellence or high ethical standards in behavior.
Difference Between Virtu and Virtue
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Virtu describes a refined appreciation for fine art, antiques, and historical collectibles. It is an aesthetic concept emphasizing skillful craftsmanship or the beauty of rare items. Virtue, on the other hand, relates to ethical and moral excellence. It encompasses qualities like honesty, courage, and kindness.
Virtu often pertains to tangible, material items prized for their uniqueness or craftsmanship. Collectors of virtu might value unique art pieces and well-preserved antiques. Virtue, in contrast, isn't tied to material possessions but reflects one's character and moral integrity.
Virtu may signify the art world's dedication to elegance and creativity. Those who seek virtu appreciate beauty and cultural heritage. Conversely, virtue conveys the commitment to moral values that influence interactions and ethical behavior.
Virtu is typically relevant to collectors, art historians, and connoisseurs focusing on specific aesthetic qualities. Whereas virtue is important to anyone who prioritizes moral guidance, regardless of their profession or background.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Appreciation for art and antiques
Moral excellence and ethical standards
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Emphasis
Aesthetic value, craftsmanship, rarity
Moral values like honesty and kindness
Tangibility
Often tied to tangible objects
Intangible, reflecting character traits
Importance
Cultural appreciation and historical value
Guiding behavior and fostering ethics
Relevance
Art collectors, connoisseurs
Anyone valuing ethics in daily life
Compare with Definitions
Virtu
A collection of rare and beautiful art or antiques.
The museum's virtu was admired by many art lovers.
Virtue
An essential principle guiding ethical behavior.
Integrity is a virtue that underpins strong leadership.
Virtu
Legacy of artistic and cultural works.
The virtu of this region reflects its rich cultural heritage.
Virtue
A commendable quality based on ethical principles.
Patience is a virtue worth practicing every day.
Virtu
A connoisseur's appreciation for artistic and antique objects.
His passion for virtu led him to collect rare porcelain figurines.
Virtue
Quality of having good moral traits.
Her kindness toward others revealed her inner virtue.
Virtu
Antique objects recognized for their historical value.
The virtu on display included Renaissance paintings and medieval manuscripts.
Virtue
An ideal standard for behavior.
Teaching virtue to children can help shape future society.
Virtu
Skill and mastery in art and historical artifacts.
The virtu displayed the artist's meticulous attention to detail.
Virtue
High moral standards and ethical behavior.
Honesty is a fundamental virtue in any relationship.
Virtu
A knowledge or love of or taste for fine objects of art.
Virtue
Virtue (Latin: virtus) is a moral excellence. A virtue is a trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being.
Virtu
Objects of art, especially fine antique objets d'art, considered as a group.
Virtue
Moral excellence and righteousness; goodness.
Virtu
Alternative form of vertu.
Virtue
An example or kind of moral excellence
The virtue of patience.
Virtu
A love of the fine arts; a taste for curiosities.
I had thoughts, in my chambers to place it in view,To be shown to my friends as a piece of virtù.
Virtue
(Archaic) Chastity, especially in a woman.
Virtu
Love of or taste for fine objects of art
Virtue
A particularly efficacious, good, or beneficial quality; advantage
A plan with the virtue of being practical.
Virtu
Artistic quality
Virtue
Effective force or power
Believed in the virtue of prayer.
Virtu
Objet d'art collectively (especially fine antiques)
Virtue
Virtues(Christianity) The fifth of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology.
Virtue
(Obsolete) Manly courage; valor.
Virtue
(uncountable) Accordance with moral principles; conformity of behaviour or thought with the strictures of morality; good moral conduct.
Without virtue, there is no freedom.
Virtue
A particular manifestation of moral excellence in a person; an admirable quality.
Virtue
Specifically, each of several qualities held to be particularly important, including the four cardinal virtues, the three theological virtues, or the seven virtues opposed to the seven deadly sins.
Virtue
An inherently advantageous or excellent quality of something or someone; a favourable point, an advantage.
Virtue
A creature embodying divine power, specifically one of the orders of heavenly beings, traditionally ranked above angels and below archangels.
Virtue
(obsolete) The inherent power of a god, or other supernatural being.
Virtue
The inherent power or efficacy of something now only in phrases.
Virtue
Manly strength or courage; bravery; daring; spirit; valor.
Built too strongFor force or virtue ever to expugn.
Virtue
Active quality or power; capacity or power adequate to the production of a given effect; energy; strength; potency; efficacy; as, the virtue of a medicine.
Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about.
A man was driven to depend for his security against misunderstanding, upon the pure virtue of his syntax.
The virtue of his midnight agony.
Virtue
Energy or influence operating without contact of the material or sensible substance.
She moves the body which she doth possess,Yet no part toucheth, but by virtue's touch.
Virtue
Excellence; value; merit; meritoriousness; worth.
I made virtue of necessity.
In the Greek poets, . . . the economy of poems is better observed than in Terence, who thought the sole grace and virtue of their fable the sticking in of sentences.
Virtue
Specifically, moral excellence; integrity of character; purity of soul; performance of duty.
Virtue only makes our bliss below.
If there's Power above us,And that there is all nature cries aloudThrough all her works, he must delight in virtue.
Virtue
A particular moral excellence; as, the virtue of temperance, of charity, etc.
Virtue
Specifically: Chastity; purity; especially, the chastity of women; virginity.
H. I believe the girl has virtue.M. And if she has, I should be the last man in the world to attempt to corrupt it.
Virtue
One of the orders of the celestial hierarchy.
Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers.
Virtue
The quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong
Virtue
Any admirable quality or attribute;
Work of great merit
Virtue
A particular moral excellence
Common Curiosities
Does "virtu" have a broader meaning than "virtue"?
No, "virtu" is narrower and focuses specifically on art and antiques.
Is "virtue" applicable in all cultures?
Yes, while specific virtues may vary, moral principles are valued globally.
Does "virtu" have synonyms in common usage?
Yes, synonyms like "aesthetic appreciation" or "collectibles" can sometimes capture the essence of "virtu."
Is "virtu" a commonly used term?
No, "virtu" is relatively uncommon and mostly used among art connoisseurs.
What are examples of "virtu" items?
Examples include rare paintings, ancient manuscripts, and intricately designed artifacts.
Do people need formal education to appreciate "virtu"?
Not necessarily, but knowledge of art history can deepen one's understanding of virtu.
Does "virtu" always refer to antique items?
Not exclusively. Modern artworks or collectibles can also be appreciated for their virtu.
Can "virtu" refer to behavior?
No, "virtu" strictly relates to aesthetic appreciation, unlike "virtue."
Is "virtu" related to virtuosity?
They share a root, but virtuosity specifically refers to a high level of skill in performance, particularly in music or art.
Can children understand "virtue"?
Yes, virtues can be taught to children through simple principles like honesty, kindness, and sharing.
Can "virtue" be developed over time?
Yes, virtues like patience, honesty, and kindness can be cultivated through self-reflection and practice.
Is "virtu" used metaphorically?
It is rarely used metaphorically, as it generally retains its specific meaning related to art and collectibles.
Can "virtue" have different meanings in various contexts?
Yes, different cultures or philosophies may emphasize particular virtues like respect or courage differently.
Is "virtue" the same as a value?
They're closely related. Values are guiding beliefs, while virtues are behavioral traits stemming from those beliefs.
Is "virtue" associated with specific professions?
Virtue is valuable in all professions, though some roles like leadership and teaching may emphasize it more.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
