Virtue and Vice, Time for a Re-think?
Rethinking Vice and Virtue
There is but one virtue, sacrifice, and one vice, selfishness, from which all other virtues and vices are spawned.
Let us begin with sacrifice. Sacrifice is an action. Sacrifice is giving of oneself for the betterment of others with no ulterior motives attached (unlike donating to charity for a tax deduction). The perfect man (Jesus) made the ultimate sacrifice (crucifixion) for our sins. We too must sacrifice in order to be close to him and repel the vices. Sacrifice repels the following vices because again, in order to sacrifice, one must be engaged in the opposite of that which characterizes selfishness and all the vices that flow from it.
The Catholic Church traditionally identifies seven "capital" or "deadly" vices, also known as the Seven Deadly Sins, which are considered the root of other sins. Here are the Seven Deadly Sins:
Pride: An excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It is considered the most serious and the source of the other capital sins.
Greed (Avarice): An excessive desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual. It is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual.
Lust: An intense desire, often for sexual pleasure, but it can also be an intense desire for anything else, like power or fame. It is an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body.
Envy: Resentment of others' traits, status, abilities, or rewards. It is the desire for others' traits, status, abilities, or situation.
Gluttony: Overindulgence and overconsumption to the point of waste, typically concerning food and drink. It is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires.
Wrath (Anger): Intense emotional response to a real or perceived grievance, often involving a strong desire for revenge. It is manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury.
Sloth (Acedia): Excessive laziness or the failure to act and utilize one's talents. It is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work.
These seven vices are considered "deadly" because they can lead to other sins and are believed to be the root of more sinful behavior. They are used in Christian ethics and morality to teach people about the nature of sin and the importance of living a virtuous life.
Now imagine engaging in any of the above vices while simultaneously engaged in sacrifice; it simply can’t be done.
Now many will say pride is the original sin, but I’m not sure sacrifice and pride can ever co-exist, and pride isn’t an action as much as a state of mind. Sacrifice is the action that acts as the antidote to pride. Now it could be argued that with pride, sacrifice will not follow, but again, how does one substitute Pride with Humility to put oneself into a state of mind receptive to the action of sacrifice?
You will note that ‘selfishness’ is listed as a venial sin, but I’m not so sure about that.
In Catholic theology, venial sins are less severe sins that do not destroy the divine life in the soul, as mortal sins do, but they do weaken a person's relationship with God and make them more susceptible to committing mortal sins. Venial sins are considered minor offenses that can be forgiven through various means, including prayer, acts of charity, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).
Examples of venial sins include:
Small Lies: Telling a lie that does not cause serious harm or injury to another person.
Impatience: Exhibiting minor outbursts of frustration or irritation.
Gossip: Speaking about others in a negative way that does not cause serious damage to their reputation.
Laziness: Small acts of neglecting duties or responsibilities without serious consequences.
Swearing: Using inappropriate language in a casual or non-malicious manner.
Jealousy: Feeling envious of another person's possessions or success without acting on it in a harmful way.
Gluttony: Overeating or indulging in food or drink without causing harm to oneself or others.
Selfishness: Small acts of putting one's own needs or desires ahead of others without causing significant harm.
While venial sins are less serious than mortal sins, the Catholic Church teaches that they should still be taken seriously. Habitual venial sinning can lead to a weakened state of spiritual health, making a person more susceptible to committing mortal sins. Regular confession, prayer, and participation in the sacraments are encouraged to help individuals grow in virtue and avoid both venial and mortal sins.