Virtue

If anyone with a pure heart undertakes a commitment to virtue --- to refrain from taking life, from taking what is not given,from sexual immorality, from lying speech, and from taking strong drink and sloth-producing drugs --- that constitutes a sacrifice better than giving alms, than giving shelter, and better than going for refuge. ...Words attributed to Gautama Buddha from Dingha Nikaya.

These ancient words laud the effect of individual practice and imply its tremendous effect on the human environment. Buddhism, as a system of thought, is about individual personal responsibility in one's environment. The interplay between person and environment is crucial to general human development. The virtuous person, who is peaceful and fully conscious, brings healing to a violent and selfish environment.