Eunoia is doubly interesting–first, as a curiosity in being the shortest English language word to contain all five vowels, and second, as a figure of speech. From the Greek for “well mind,” it refers to the concept of benevolent goodwill. I read today’s op-ed in the Times about Microsoft, and it made me think that Bill Gates is eunoic.
This is a trait I sometimes have trouble grasping, not because I’m less magnanimous than average, but because I’m deeply cynical. So when I do something nice for you, it’s because I’m chock full of eunoia. When you do something nice for me, I’m thinking, what’s your angle? (Just kidding.)
I really need to read Aristotle’s Rhetoric at some point…