what does " communicate their virtue or vice only by overt" actions mean?

Question

what does " communicate their virtue or vice only by overt actions" mean. I am reading "self Reliance" by emerson and I dont know what that means

Answer 1

overt actions means simply to openly do something...as to the virtue or vice part...its just a personal thing...Are they good or bad people..Virtuous people do good things..people of vice do the opposite....so to "communicate their virtue or vice by overt actions" is stating that people will display openly whether they are good or bad.

Answer 2

Overt means out in the open, unhidden, not secret, public. People show whether they are good (virtuous) or bad (engage in vice), by the behavior they show. You don't (and can't) know what is in someone's mind, but you can see what they do, and hear what they say, and come to a decision about their virtue based on observation.

Answer 3

Not any "dogs" but wolves. Chastity: Wolves, unlike dogs, don't breed with every single female. The breeding pairs stay with each other for as long as they reign. Temperance: Very watchful. Wolf packs can follow a herd for several days before attacking(showing restraint). Charity: While they do have a pecking order, they often allow the pups, or pregnant female to eat first so the pups and female are healthy. Diligence: Once they start an attack on their prey, they will continue to attack(unless the majority of the pack is hurt). Patience: Allowing pups to roll all over the place - until a certain age, of course, but it takes a lot of patience even at a month old. Kindness: As explained with Charity, they think about the pups and the well-being of the pack. Also, even with humans, they show a certain kindness - if you allow them to. Humility: Think of the heiarchy. The lower pack members show humility to the alpha pair, giving respect for space, allowing the alpha pair to eat first, etc. Lust: Lone male wolves look for their own pack, so they find other females and breed. Gluttony: Even if they don't need it, they will eat, eat, eat. Greed: The alpha pair will eat their catch, snarling at the others who try to steal. Sloth: I think they may bide their time a little too well when focusing on attacking, taking things a little too slowly. Wrath: Think of those poor deer! I think that 'wrath' speaks for itself. Envy: I would think the lower wolves might be envious of the alpha pair - hence why they fight for position Pride: Alpha pair is - obviously - prideful of their pack, their pups, and their place in the pack. Legit: I think my wolf mix requires a little bit of a harder correction, a more firm "No" and sometimes a spank if it's called for(going after other animals, if an attack ever happened). My chihuahua seems to be a little afraid of me when I use a firm "No" so I have to be a little more soft in how I say it - not really a little bitty "oh, don't do that" but not quite "No!" EDIT;; Oops, didn't know you meant one dog for every breed.... Well, oh well XP I still stick with my answer.

Answer 4

This statement says that people show us by their actions, ones that we can openly observe, whether they are good (virtuous)
or bad ( having vices). What they say is not of as much consequence. It is their actions which show their true colors.

Answer 5

It means showing your goodnees or badness by obvious actions, not words, hints, or other ways. In the context of what he's written, I'm not sure what he is trying to say. Hope that makes sense.