This is my view in reference to HS' 'Change from inside out' (July 14). The moral virtues in people gain them eternal happiness while moral corruption leads them to everlasting wretchedness. Therefore, it is necessary for all to purify themselves of all evil traits of character and adorn their soul with all forms of ethical moral virtues. Moreover, without having cleansed oneself of all evil habits, it would be impossible to nourish and develop moral virtues in oneself.

Yes, let us first change ourselves by purifying the soul. The four most important faculties of the soul that need purification are:

1) The power of intelligence - the existence of this power enables one to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, true and false. The purification and rightward training of the power of intellect will result in the development of knowledge and subsequently wisdom in people;

2) The power of anger - if people did not posses this, they could not defend themselves against attack and aggression. The purification of this faculty will result in the emergence of courage and subsequently forbearance;

3) The power of desire - if the forces sexual attraction and desire did not exist in people, the continued existence of the human species would be endangered. The purification of this power will result in the development of the faculty of chastity and subsequently generosity.

4) The power of imagination. If people lacked the power of imagination, they could not visualise universals or particulars, and he would be unable to make any inferences based on them. The purification of the power of imagination will cause the emergence of the faculty of justice in human being.

Therefore, the moral virtues are: wisdom/knowledge, courage/self-belief, chastity and justice.

The opposite qualities are: ignorance, cowardice, lust, injustice and tyranny.

But we have to remind ourselves that every one of the ethical virtues is to be practised to a certain degree and within definite limits, transgression of which would transform a virtue into a vice.

For a better human being, first and foremost - purify the soul!