Diligence

Diligence is steadfast application, assiduousness and industry — the virtue of hard work rather than the sin of careless sloth.

Diligent behaviour is indicative of a work ethic — a belief that work is good in itself.[1]

Expertise in a field such as music requires about 10,000 hours or 10 years of practice and so diligence is commonly required to achieve this.[2]

Contents

Diligence in Students

Diligence in students is correlated with academic performance. This is especially found in younger students. The support of parents is significant in encouraging students to be diligent.[3] Other factors which encourage diligence in students include discipline, concentration, conformity and spirituality.[4]

Diligence in Buddhism

The last word of the Buddha was “Strive on with diligence”. Diligence is an integral part of all Buddhist teaching, and is considered the fourth of the paramita. In Mahayana tradition diligence is the third paramita and the first which is said to lead to liberation. The practice of diligence will bring an increase of qualities.[5]

Due diligence

Main article: due diligence

Due diligence is the necessary amount of diligence required in a professional activity to avoid being negligent. This commonly arises in major acquisitions where the legal principle of caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) requires the purchaser to make a diligent survey of the property or service.[6]

References

  1. ^ "The Concept of the Work Ethic", Work and society, Hong Kong University Press, 1996, pp. 136–137, ISBN 9789622093911 
  2. ^ Karl Anders Ericsson (2006), The Cambridge handbook of expertise and expert performance, Cambridge University Press, p. 705, ISBN 9780521840972 
  3. ^ Christon G Arthur (2002), Student Diligence and Student Diligence Support: Predictors of Academic Success., http://eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED471295.pdf 
  4. ^ H Bernard, DD Drake, JJ Pace (1996), "Student-Centered Educational Reform: The Impact of Parental and Educator Support of Student Diligence", School Community Journal, http://www.adi.org/journal/fw96/BernardDrakePacesRaynorFall1996.pdf 
  5. ^ Je Gampopa (1994), Gems of Dharma, Jewels of Freedom, Altea Publishing, p. 163, ISBN 952455501 
  6. ^ N.J. Margetson, "What is meant by "due diligence"?", The system of liability of articles III and IV of the Hague (Visby) Rules, pp. 43 et seq., http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=wT0NRBjjriMC&pg=PA43