The Seven Deadly Vices

[Tommy]

The Seven Deadly Vices

The Seven Deadly Vices are usually listed as Pride, Greed/Avarice, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy, Sloth/Acedia. They are called Capital [or Deadly] because they give rise to other sins.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 1865 says,

"Sin creates a proclivity to sin; it engenders vice by repetition of the same acts. This results in perverse inclinations which cloud conscience and corrupt the concrete judgment of good and evil. Thus sin tends to reproduce itself and reinforce itself, but it cannot destroy the moral sense at its root."

Therefore, we need to seek God's sanctifying grace, especially through Confession, and actively work to diminish the frequency with which we commit our most troublesome habitual sins.

Jesus says,

"For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, 22 murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, 23 licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." (Mark 7:21-23)

Our efforts to keep from being defiled and 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 this card to aid your efforts to diminish your vices and proclivity to sin.


Pride

• When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble. (Proverbs 11:2)
  
• The beginning of human pride is to forsake the Lord; the heart has withdrawn from its Maker. (Sirach 10:12)
  

Greed/Avarice

• Such is the end of all who are greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its possessors. (Proverbs 1:19)
  
• And he said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." (Luke 12:15)
  

Lust

• But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:28)
  
• "You offspring of Canaan and not of Judah, beauty has beguiled you and lust has perverted your heart." (Daniel 13:56b)
  

Anger

• Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, (Ephesians 4:26)
  
• But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. (Matthew 5:22)
  

Gluttony

• Let neither gluttony nor lust overcome me, and do not give me over to shameless passion. (Sirach 23:6)
  
• Do not be greedy for every delicacy, and do not eat without restraint; for overeating brings sickness, and gluttony leads to nausea. (Sirach 37:29-30)
  

Envy

• Nor will I travel in the company of sickly envy, for envy does not associate with wisdom. (Wisdom 6:23)
  
• For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. (James 3:16)
  

Sloth/Acedia

• Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks. (Ecclesiastes 10:18)
  
• How long will you lie there, O lazybones? When will you rise from your sleep? (Proverbs 6:9)
  

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  Download a PDF copy of The Seven Deadly Vices here.

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