The Capital Sins

They are called capital from the Latin word caput, the head: they are the sources from which the other faults spring. They are named so for their fruitfulness, for each begets a train of sins that obey it. Scripture draws their portrait under the name of the works of the flesh: “The works of the flesh are plain: sexual immorality, idolatry, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, envy, and the like.” Galatians 5:19-21 Tradition has recognised seven roots, to each of which answers the virtue that heals it.

Pride

Pride is the disordered desire for one’s own greatness, which sets the self where God ought to be. It is the head of them all: “The beginning of pride is to depart from the Lord.” Sirach 10:12 From it come vainglory, contempt of others, revolt against God. Humility heals it, giving God the first place and receiving everything from him.

Greed

Greed is the disordered attachment to riches, where the heart treats a good as an end and binds itself to it. “The love of money is the root of all evils.” 1 Timothy 6:10 It begets hardness, fraud, the forgetting of the poor. Generosity heals it, holding goods with an open hand and ordering them to the good.

Envy

Envy is the sadness before the good of another, felt as a diminishing of oneself. It is envy that handed Christ over: “he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.” Matthew 27:18 It begets slander, joy at another’s misfortune, hatred. Fraternal charity heals it, rejoicing in the good of one’s neighbour as in one’s own.

Anger

Anger is the disordered desire for vengeance, when resentment prevails over justice. “Whoever is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment.” Matthew 5:22 It begets quarrels, insults, violence. Meekness heals it, keeping mastery of oneself and leaving justice to God.

Lust

Lust is the disordered desire for the pleasures of the body, sought for their own sake. “Flee from sexual immorality. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 6:18-19 It blinds the judgment and enslaves the will. Chastity heals it, ordering desire to the gift of self in love.

Gluttony

Gluttony is the disordered use of food and drink, sought without measure. “Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat.” Proverbs 23:20 It weighs down the spirit and chains it to the body. Temperance heals it, receiving the goods of the body with measure and thanksgiving.

Sloth

Sloth, or acedia, is the sadness before spiritual good, the distaste for the effort it asks. It cools prayer and leads to neglect of one’s duties toward God. “Because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:16 Fervour heals it, the love that sets back to work and perseveres.

The combat

None of these inclinations is invincible. The grace of Christ and the practice of the contrary virtues disarm them one after another, for the good drives out the evil opposed to it: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 As charity grows, their roots wither, and man recovers the freedom of the children of God.