counsel of perfection

Noun

counsel of perfection (plural counsels of perfection)

1. Advice as to a means of striving for moral perfection.
   • The main biblical foundation for this distinction between commandments and counsels of perfection is in the story of the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler. There, once the young man declares that he has obeyed all the commandments, Jesus tells him that if he wishes to "be perfect" he...2005, Justo L. González, Essential Theological Terms, page 40
   • Many of the recommendations of Jesus are aimed at those who wish to join his circle of disciples to live a rigorous life. Often they are counsels of perfection, and not aimed at ordinary believers who live their everyday life in their family, in their work, and in their prayers.2005, Nicholas Capaldi, Business and Religion: A Clash of Civilizations?, page 137
   1. (specifically) Any of the virtues of obedience, chastity, and charity, or other ascetic practices, especially in monastic vows.
      • There are many counsels of perfection. The frequent and fervent reception of the Sacraments is a counsel of perfection, and one of the principal of attaining perfection—Confession producing purity of soul, and Holy Communion a closer union between the soul and His Divine majesty.1874, Herbert, Bishop of Salford, “Preface”, in On The Choice of a State of Life, by the late Bishop of Bruges, page xix
      • The Counsels of Perfection are three in number, viz., POVERTY, CHASTITY, and OBEDIENCE. They are termed 'counsels' as distinguished from the divine 'precepts', the fulfilment of which is universally necessary to salvation.1893, Vernon Staley, The Catholic Religion, Unabridged Edition: A Manual for, published 2007, page 248
2. (broadly) Noble but impractical idealistic advice.
   • To a practical statesman that will seem perhaps a counsel of perfection; and, certainly, it is a counsel that, at every stage, will encounter acute difficulties of practical operation.1919, Harold Joseph Laski, Authority in the Modern State, page 55
   • Lessius qualified his position on killing in self-defense for defense of honor by noting that although it is permissible to kill for these reasons, it is a moral counsel of perfection to allow oneself to be killed rather than to kill.1988, Albert R. Jonsen, The Abuse of Casuistry: A History of Moral Reasoning, page 225