Seven Deadly Sins By C. Wallace

Seven Deadly Sins Also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins Also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins They were enumerated in their present form by Thomas Aquinas in the 13 th century. They were enumerated in their present form by Thomas Aquinas in the 13 th century. They were first derived from the eight evil thoughts as described by Greek monastic theologian Evagrius of Pontus. They were first derived from the eight evil thoughts as described by Greek monastic theologian Evagrius of Pontus.

Eight Thoughts of Evil Gluttony Gluttony Fornication Fornication Love of Money Love of Money Discontent Discontent Anger Anger Despondency Despondency Vainglory Vainglory Pride Pride

From Eight to Seven St. John Cassian in his “Conferences” describes the eight principal vices as gluttony, fornication, avarice, anger, sadness, acedia (anxiety), vainglory, and pride. St. John Cassian in his “Conferences” describes the eight principal vices as gluttony, fornication, avarice, anger, sadness, acedia (anxiety), vainglory, and pride. It was not until the 6 th century that St. Gregory the Great (then Pope Gregory I) described the seven sins in his Moralia in Job. It was not until the 6 th century that St. Gregory the Great (then Pope Gregory I) described the seven sins in his Moralia in Job.

Ranking of Sins St. Gregory the Great ranked the sins in seriousness based on the degree from which they offended against love. St. Gregory the Great ranked the sins in seriousness based on the degree from which they offended against love. It was from least serious to most: It was from least serious to most: Lust Lust Gluttony Gluttony Sadness (would later be replaced by sloth) Sadness (would later be replaced by sloth) Avarice Avarice Anger Anger Envy Envy Pride Pride

The Seven Deadly Sins (present day) Lust Lust Gluttony Gluttony Greed Greed Sloth Sloth Wrath Wrath Envy Envy Pride (the worst) Pride (the worst)

Each sin… Is a particular way of failing to love God with all one’s resources and to love fellows as much as self. Is a particular way of failing to love God with all one’s resources and to love fellows as much as self. In 1589, Peter Binsfeld paired each of the deadly sins with a demon who tempted people by means of the associated sin. In 1589, Peter Binsfeld paired each of the deadly sins with a demon who tempted people by means of the associated sin.

Lust Deals with fornication Deals with fornication Unlawful sexual desire Unlawful sexual desire Desiring relations with someone outside of marriage. Desiring relations with someone outside of marriage. Demon: Asmodeus Demon: Asmodeus

Gluttony Wasting of food either through overindulgence in food, drink or intoxicants Wasting of food either through overindulgence in food, drink or intoxicants Misplaced desire for food for its sensuality Misplaced desire for food for its sensuality Withholding food from the needy Withholding food from the needy Dante: Excessive love of pleasure Dante: Excessive love of pleasure Demon: Beelzebub (lord of flies) Demon: Beelzebub (lord of flies)

Greed A desire to possess more than one has need or use for (avarice) A desire to possess more than one has need or use for (avarice) Demon: Mammon Demon: Mammon

Sloth Laziness Laziness Idleness and wastefulness of time allotted Idleness and wastefulness of time allotted It is condemned because It is condemned because Others have to work harder Others have to work harder You are putting off what God wants you to do or not doing it at all You are putting off what God wants you to do or not doing it at all It is disadvantageous for oneself because useful work does not get done It is disadvantageous for oneself because useful work does not get done It is like gluttony, a sin of waste It is like gluttony, a sin of waste Demon: Belphegor Demon: Belphegor

Wrath Inappropriate (unrighteous) feelings of hatred, revenge or even denial, as well as punitive desires outside of justice Inappropriate (unrighteous) feelings of hatred, revenge or even denial, as well as punitive desires outside of justice Anger and hate Anger and hate Demon: Satan Demon: Satan

Envy Jealousy Jealousy Resentment of others for their possessions Resentment of others for their possessions Demon: Leviathan Demon: Leviathan

Pride Vanity, Narcissism Vanity, Narcissism A desire to be important or attractive to others or excessive love of self A desire to be important or attractive to others or excessive love of self Demon: Lucifer Demon: Lucifer The worst of the 7 sins The worst of the 7 sins

Opposite of the Sins: 7 Virtues Chastity Chastity Moderation Moderation Charity Charity Zeal Zeal Meekness Meekness Generosity Generosity Humility Humility Source Information: Source Information: