Seven Deadly Virtues

Seven Deadly Virtues

If I asked, “what is your favorite sin?” There’s a good chance you would know exactly what I’m talking about. Though being an extension of Christian theology, perhaps Christian Mythology, the idea of the seven deadly sins has permeated popular culture such that even those completely ignorant of its Christian roots can probably name five-to-seven of them.

Wrath, Lust, Gluttony, Sloth, Greed, Pride, Envy.

Exactly which words are used may change from telling to telling. I prefer to say wrath instead of anger, for instance, but we understand them. And if you’re anything like me you have a favorite and may even understand your own personal failing.

But what of the virtues. Many people don’t know there are virtues that sit opposite them and of those who do most of us couldn’t name more than three without looking them up.

Humility, Charity, Chastity, Gratitude, Temperance, Patience, Diligence.

I’m a fan of Temperance and Diligence myself.

The point of the idea of the virtues and the sins is to remind us that negative and positive drives dwell within all of us and we can see the result of people motivated by their virtues or vices in the world about us. I fear, however, that it is too easy to see the vice and so hard to see the virtue.

There is something in all of us, I feel, that calls to virtue, it is why we are so upset when evil takes sway. I think if we can recognize that, we can see that and maybe reflect and magnify it to make the world a slightly better place.

I know not what virtues lie within your soul, but I know if you feed it, it will feed others. “Feed the wolf you want to win” to paraphrase a Native American saying.

I hope you have found this missive as enlightening to read as I did to write it.

Thank you and God bless;

~ S. Wallace