counsel of perfection

Definitions

1. Advice as to a means of striving for moral perfection.
2. Any of the virtues of obedience, chastity, and charity, or other ascetic practices, especially in monastic vows.
   specifically
3. Noble but impractical idealistic advice.
   broadly

Examples

“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 is to sell⟳ all his possessions and give⟳ the money to the poor (Matt. 19:2).”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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⟳.”

“In the end⟳, their “Recommendations for Designing and Evaluating Qualitative Research⟳” concludes with another counsel of perfection: “These guidelines amount to a specification of the ideal qualitative research⟳ proposal [original emphasis].”

“Luther is well aware that he is offering 'lofty' advice here. Positively, this can be seen as a counsel of perfection, similar to the command in the Sermon on the Mount⟳ to love⟳ your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you.”

CEFR level