Prussian Virtues

The attributes known as the Prussian Virtues were founded upon the militaristic essence of Prussia and the ethical principles upheld by the Prussian Army, complemented by the incorporation of bourgeois values like integrity and thriftiness, which in turn, were shaped by the influences of Pietism and the Enlightenment.

## Origins

**Pietism**, a doctrine stressing the importance of personal devotion and leading a dutiful Christian existence, wielded considerable sway over the Prussian court and aristocracy. An eminent religious movement, Pietism arose within the fold of Protestantism in the latter part of the 17th century. It was a creed which held paramount the importance of individual ***piety***, beseeching devout souls to engross themselves in a fervent devotion to God and to lead a life of sincere and ardent Christian virtue. The tenets of this movement sought to kindle a profound and personal experience of faith, exhorting a direct and intimate relationship with the Divine, whilst casting aside the mere reliance on ritual and outward formalities.

Ever since the days of **Philipp Jacob Spener**, Pietism held a profound influence upon the esteemed Prussian court and its nobility. Its significance was twofold: firstly, in its admirable efforts to moderate the denominational tensions existing betwixt the Lutherans and Calvinists, even finding resonance within the royal household. Secondly, the remarkable practical and societal effects that the Pietist way of life hath engendered, as exemplified by the renowned **Franckesche Anstalten**, showcased the profound impact of lived Pietism. Furthermore, deeply personal and religious-moral affinities amongst the courtiers also played a most crucial role in this regard.

## History

In the reign of the Soldier King, Frédéric-Guillaume I kept in his favour and praise the very reverend **August Herman Francke**, a proponent of pietism, who established a sprawling society of public works, the so-called *Franckesche Anstalten*. Not long after his enthronement, Frédéric-Guillaume I paid a visit to Abbé Francke, wherein he strongly expressed his admiration for his project. In the following years, Francke's Pietism intertwined closely with the state; permeating all echelons and estates therein. A multitude of courtiers, clergymen, and administrative officials became deeply imbued with the spirit of Pietism through the various treatises published at the esteemed University of Halle and fervently propagated its virtuous principles throughout the land.

Although Frédéric-Guillaume I was a follower of Calvinism, he held in high esteem the Lutheran-based Pietism. In his view, he perceived its power to alleviate the tensions between the Lutherans and Calvinists both within the kingdom and the court. Upon ascending the throne, Frederick William I inherited a Prussia burdened with onerous debts, and he promptly instilled order, diligence, modesty, and the fear of God as the guiding principles for his turbulent reform and restructuring of the state. He saw himself as an exemplary moral figure for his loyal subjects.

As for Frédéric II, he differed from his father in that he embraced the aesthetic pursuits and ardently admired the philosophical ideas of Voltaire and the French Enlightenment. He was not, however, predisposed towards Pietism, though he acknowledged and clung to many of his father's principles. He deviated ever so slightly from Frédéric-Guillaume I's self-concept as the **"first sergeant to the King of Prussia,"** instead aspiring to be the ***"first servant of his state."*** He championed the Enlightenment ideals of reason and tolerance as the guiding maxims in his governance of Prussia.

By the influence of Frédéric-Guillaume I and his noble son, the esteemed values of Pietism harmoniously intertwined with the tenets of the Enlightenment. This fusion bestowed upon Prussia a forward-thinking legal system and administration, along with a devoted officer corps staunchly loyal to the crown. Moreover, a ***"patriotism of reason"*** was fostered, which admirably propelled Prussia's ascent from the baroque state of Frédéric-Guillaume de Brandebourg, le Grand Électeur, to a preeminent and modern European power.

## The Virtues

Initially, the virtues were confined to the army and were subsequently embraced by the greater Prussian population, which, in time, became increasingly imbued with a military ethos. The Prussian social structure was marked by a rigorous hierarchy, hence fostering the virtues deemed exemplary and laudable. Among these were unyielding loyalty, self-denial for the greater good of the state and the sovereign; unfaltering courage bereft of self-pity, dutiful subordination, and obedience, albeit not at the expense of forthrightness and candor.

It is to these virtues that the obsolete saying that someone does something ***pour le Roi de Prusse* ("for the King of Prussia", i.e. for free, without taking anything in return)** is sometimes attributed.

* Sincerity,
* Modesty,
* Honesty,
* Diligence,
* Frankness,
* Providence,
* Conscientiousness,
* Punctuality,
* Probity ,
* Cleanliness,
* Frugality,
* Tolerance,
* Incorruptibility,
* Self-effacement,
* Determination ,
* Reliability;
* A fear of God;
* Sense of justice;
* Sense of order;
* Sense of duty.