Daniel IsinGECIV 100Sister Weber26th February 2022Week 8 Essay 3Self-reliance, and the spirit of entitlement; one a virtue, and the other a vice. In this essay, we explore both traits and how they affect people. We will also observe how self-reliance aids in the development of economic virtue.The Oxford dictionary defines self-reliance as relying on one's own abilities and resources rather than those of others. Self-reliance is a personality trait shared by persons who truly exercise their agency and are accountable for their actions. A self-reliant individual understands that no favors are given to him or her in life, and that if they want something, they must earn it fairly. Humility, compassion, meekness, intergrity, patience, diligence, a grateful heart, and a fondness for hardwork are some additional significant characteristics of a self-reliant individual. This is not to say that someone attempting to be self-reliant should not rely on others; rather, it indicates that the person recognizes that he or she is not entitled to another's talents or resources and is appreciative when a favor is extended. This also is not to say that you should not be entitled to your human rights if you are self-reliant; as Ramsey Clark put it, " A right is not what someone gives you; it's what no one can take from you."True self-reliance is plagued by the sense of entitlement. Entitlement is a sign of arrogance, narcissism, and egotism. It is a personality trait based on the assumption that anindividual is owed special treatment or credit for something they did not earn. To put it differently, those who have this perspective feel that the world owes them everything without ever contributing anything back. Laziness, impatience, ingratitude, greed, inconsideration, jealousy, and meanness are some of the other fruits of this tree. An entitled person has a proclivity to set objectives based on their own self-image, which frequently puts them at odds with others. At heart, an entitled individual longs to be cherished and admired. He or she seeks approval from peers while also demanding to be respected. They are trying to relieve their own mental misery by enforcing their superiority since they are so terribly full of anxieties and insecurities.We have seen the distinctions between self-reliance and entitlement thus far. Self-reliant attributes must be developed when one attempts to become economically virtuous. In truth, the two are inextricably linked. You have economic virtue if you are self-reliant. You must be self-reliant if you claim to be a person of economic virtue. When it comes to virtue, the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have this to say:"Virtue “is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. ” It is the accumulation of thousands of small decisions and actions. Virtuous women and men possess a quiet dignity and inner strength." https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/virtue?lang=eng They define virtue in a general sense, but it may be tailored to self-reliance and economic virtue. Economic virtue is a pattern of thought and self-reliant behavior based on high moral standards. It is the accumulation of thousands of small decisions and actions to be self-reliant. Economic virtuous women and men possess a quiet dignity and inner strength.Michael Bassey Johnson said, “If you truly want to be respected by people you love, you must prove to them that you can survive without them.” To sum up, one cannot have economic virtue without letting go of the unpleasant spirit of entitlement and learning to be self-reliant. It has been nothing but wonderful for me to strive for self-reliance in my