In order to find the etymological origin of the term pious we have to turn to Latin. And it is that it derives from the Latin word “pietas”, which means “piety”, and which, in turn, emanates from “pius”, which can be translated as “devotee”.
Pious is a adjective which is linked to the piety (the virtue that implies devotion to God and the religious, and that is reflected in an action driven by compassion and love).
In the same way, it must be said that the adjective pious is attributed to certain liturgical acts. Thus, for example, there is talk of the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross. This we can say that it is one of the most important devotions that Christians have and its objective is to remember what the mysteries of the Passion of Christ are.
Someone pious therefore feels mercy or clemency for the neighbor. Is person He takes pity on the other and tries to offer his collaboration, acting kindly. For example: “The old man remained lying on the side of the road for hours until a pious man approached and assisted him”, “I have never met anyone as pious as Father Roberto”, “She is not a pious woman, but quite the opposite: she is not moved by the suffering of others”.
Suppose a man win 5,000 pesos per month. How do you consider that 3,000 pesos are enough to satisfy your needs, 2,000 He donates the rest to charities. That is why it is qualified by those who know it as pious. In addition, he often spends several hours a month on community service, which reveals his compassion for those who need help.
Just as pity is a virtue, if a subject is not pious, he can receive a social condemnation. That would be the case of someone who observes from their vehicle that a person was run over and, nevertheless, does not stop to assist them since they are in a hurry.
The term has also been used by numerous authors to title their works. This would be the case, for example, of The Pious Venetian. It is a famous comedy by Lope de Vega, which he published in 1638.
Likewise, the fact that this adjective has also been used to define or recognize certain historical figures should not be overlooked. This would be the case, for example, of Felipe III of Spain (1578 – 1621), who was called “the Pious”. Why this nickname? Because, it seems, he prayed nine rosaries every day. Each one was in “honor” of each of the months that Jesus Christ spent in his mother’s womb.
However, we must not forget Ludovico Pío (778 – 840), better known as Luis I, called the Pious, who was king of Aquitaine, as well as the son of Charlemagne.
Certain things are also qualified as pious, either because they elicit mercy or because they offer mercy in a symbolic sense. If a city experiences a heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 40º C, someone can rate the Sun from pious when the star hides behind the clouds for a few hours, providing relief to the population.
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