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Patience

philosophy religion Maturity 5-7 Next article →

Patience is the ability to endure difficult or unwanted situations over a long time.

Geduld (Patientia) Pacientia (titel op object), RP-P-OB-10.853
Geduld (Patientia) Pacientia (titel op object), RP-P-OB-10.853

It involves being tolerant when you face delays, stress, or provocation. A patient person does not react with anger or disrespect. This trait is also seen as being disciplined and steadfast. Some people might struggle with being impatient or acting too quickly.

Three virtues Patientia
Three virtues Patientia

Being patient helps people manage their emotions during hard times.

Scientists study patience as a way of making choices. It is often a choice between a small reward now or a bigger reward later. In 2005, researchers studied common marmosets and cottontop tamarins. Marmosets waited much longer for food than the tamarins did. This happened because of how they find food in nature. Marmosets wait for gum to flow from trees. Tamarins hunt for insects, which requires quick action. This shows how waiting can be part of an animal's life.

Many different religions view patience as a very important virtue. In Judaism, the Talmud says patience is a vital personal trait. For example, the story of Micah shows a person enduring hard conditions. Christians believe patience is a gift from the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul mentioned it in his letter to the Galatians. In Islam, patience with belief in Allah is a great virtue. It can help a person find true peace and grow closer to God.

Abandonment rate of online video users for different Internet connectivities
Abandonment rate of online video users for different Internet connectivities

Islamic tradition also tells the story of Job, who showed great patience.

Buddhism and Hinduism also have deep ideas about being patient. In Buddhism, patience is called Kshanti. It means controlling your emotions even when others attack you. It also means not returning harm to others. In Hinduism, patience is a cheerful way to face life's conditions. It helps people stay calm through pain, pleasure, or heat. The Sandilya Upanishad lists ten sources of patience. These include things like non-violence and telling the truth. It also includes being kind to all living creatures.

Today, technology can change how much patience we have. A 2012 study looked at millions of people watching online videos. Researchers Krishnan and Sitaraman found that users lose patience in just two seconds. People who use very fast internet are often less patient. They might stop watching a video much faster than others. The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche also wrote about how hard it is to wait. He said that passion often does not want to wait. This shows that patience is a big part of being human.

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Geduld (Patientia) Pacientia (titel op...
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Abandonment rate of online video users...
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Three virtues Patientia.jpg
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