Why Be Virtuous?

[regular.joe]

It does not matter so much for me what all these philosophers and thinkers have to say on the issue. At one time I did. I wanted to be a philosopher. I found that studying philosophers work, and then calling myself a philosopher, was like studying artists work, and then calling myself an artist. It did not improve my stick figure drawings at all.

It's good to look at their work. At the end of the day, or my life, it's my work that has the most impact on me. Perhaps more importantly on the people around me.

Some people are motivated by self, are not virtuous by nature. They may behave in a way that appears virtuous, it is only to reach a selfish end. In my opinion this is not virtue. Just because it appears virtuous to the outside observer.

Virtue: 1. conforming to moral and ethical principles; morally excellent; upright: Lead a virtuous life.

Moral: 1. of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong; ethical: moral attitudes.
2. expressing or conveying truths or counsel as to right conduct, as a speaker or a literary work; moralizing: a moral novel.
3. founded on the fundamental principles of right conduct rather than on legalities, enactment, or custom: moral obligations.
4. capable of conforming to the rules of right conduct: a moral being.
5. conforming to the rules of right conduct (opposed to immoral): a moral man.

Ethical: 1. pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct.

Do these work for definitions?