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The Seven Lively Virtues - Tommy - 10-06-2026 The Seven Lively Virtues They are called the Lively Virtues because each of them counters one of the Seven Deadly Sins: Humility offsets Pride, Generosity offsets Greed/Avarice, Chastity offsets Lust, Meekness and Patience offset Anger, Temperance offsets Gluttony, Kindness offsets Envy, Diligence offsets Sloth/Acedia. Our efforts to overcome a persistent vice or weakness should include not just an attempt to reduce the vice but to grow in its offsetting virtue. Frequent reflection on related scripture verses, "The Sword of the Spirit" can help break the bonds that bind us. Ask the Lord for help and discernment of what to work on each day. Use these Bible references as an aid in effort to grow in virtue. Humility "For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Luke 14:11) "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3) "And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5) Generosity "Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor." (Proverbs 22:9) "You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us;" (2 Corinthians 9:11) "He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God." (Acts 10:2) Chastity "Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12) "I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I look upon a virgin? What would be my portion from God above, and my heritage from the Almighty on high?" (Job31:1-3) Meekness and Patience "For his faithfulness and meekness he consecrated him, choosing him out of all humankind." (Sirach 45:4) "As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." (Colossians 3:12) "May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while 12 joyfully giving thanks to the Father" (Colossians 1:11) Temperance (Self-Control) "Like a city breached, without walls, is one who lacks self-control." (Proverbs 25:28) "Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one." (1 Corinthians 9:25) "Training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly," (Titus 2:12) Kindness "Give graciously to all the living; do not withhold kindness even from the dead." (Sirach 7:33) "but kindness is like a garden of blessings, and almsgiving endures forever." (Sirach 40:17) "Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another;" (Zechariah 7:9) Diligence "In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hands be idle; for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good." (Ecclesiastes 11:6) "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to want." (Proverbs 21:5)   Download a copy of The Seven Lively Virtues in PDF.