The Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Virtues
Monday, July 13th, 2009
Everyone has heard of the Seven Deadly Sins (or Seven Vices), but there are actually a corresponding set of Seven Virtues. These two lists are not set out as they are today in the Bible, but were established definitively during medieval times by Pope Gregory the Great.
The sins are:
- luxuria (extravagance)
- gula (gluttony)
- avaritia (avarice/greed)
- acedia (acedia/discouragement)
- ira (wrath)
- invidia (envy)
- superbia (pride)
The identification and definition of the seven deadly sins over their history has been a fluid process and the idea of what each of the seven actually encompasses has evolved over time. Additionally, as a result of semantic change:
- Lust was substituted for luxuria in all but name
- socordia (sloth) was substituted for acedia
The corresponding virtues are:
| Virtue | Latin | Gloss | (Vice) | (Latin) | Virtue’s Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chastity | Castitas | Purity | Lust | Luxuria | Abstaining from sexual conduct according to one’s state in life. Courage and boldness. Embracing of moral wholesomeness and achieving purity of thought through education and betterment. |
| Temperance | Temperantia | Self-Control | Gluttony | Gula | Constant mindfulness of others and one’s surroundings; practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation. |
| Charity | Caritas | Will, Generosity | Greed | Avaritia | Generosity. Willingness to give. A nobility of thought or actions. |
| Diligence | Industria | Persistence, Effort | Acedia | AcediaTristitia | A zealous and careful nature in one’s actions and work. Decisive work ethic. Budgeting one’s time; monitoring one’s own activities to guard against laziness. |
| Patience | Patientia | Peace | Wrath | Ira | Forbearance and endurance through moderation. Resolving conflicts peacefully, as opposed to resorting to violence. The ability to forgive; to show mercy to sinners. |
| Kindness | Humanitas | Satisfaction | Envy | Invidia | Charity, compassion, friendship, and empathy without prejudice and for its own sake. |
| Humility | Humilitas | Bravery, Modesty | Pride | Superbia | Modest behavior, selflessness, and the giving of respect. Giving credit where credit is due; not unfairly glorifying one’s own self. |
source: Wikipedia
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