And among the Romans, the faculty of appetite predominated, manifesting itself in food, sexual relations, and the like. Their name was derived from this: they were called Rūm, for one says rumtu hādhā, arūmuhu when seeking and desiring something. Among the Persians, the faculty of anger predominated, manifesting itself in repelling, resisting, asserting superiority, and exercising leadership. Their name was derived from this: they were called Furs, just as one says farasahu, yafrisuhu when subduing and overcoming someone. Thus these three qualities predominate among these three nations, among both their settled and nomadic populations. For this reason, the Arabs were the finest of nations, followed by the Persians—since the faculty of resistance ranks higher—and then the Romans.

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In accordance with these faculties, there are three virtues:

The virtue of reason, knowledge, and faith, which perfects the faculty of reason and speech; and the virtue of courage, which perfects the faculty of anger. The perfection of courage is forbearance, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“The strong man is not the one who overpowers others in wrestling; rather, the strong man is the one who controls himself when angry.”

Forbearance and noble generosity are bound together, just as temperance is the perfection of the faculty of appetite. When a noble person is temperate and a generous person is forbearing, balance is achieved.

And the virtue of generosity and liberality, which perfects the faculty of desire and love. Generosity arises from gentleness, ease, and suppleness of character, just as courage arises from