7 deadly sins?

The word ‘sin’ tends to generate a strong reaction from people. Inevitably the term conjures religious connotations & will engage or enrage people in equal measure. The following post is not meant to represent my religious beliefs nor to lecture you on your conduct whatever your faith or if you have none. This musing is merely an attempt to shine some light on to 7 areas of life that if not considered carefully, can cause a lot of us a lot of unnecessary distress.

While the ‘seven deadly sins’ were originally developed by Christian theologians, their relevance and applicability have been recognised across a range of cultures and traditions. As buddi bench focuses on ‘creative responses to human distress’ I thought it wise to introduce some ideas that aim at prevention rather than cure. If we can avoid the key issues that trip so many of us up, then this might be considered a wise investment - a gift to our future selves. At times I have stumbled & faltered in all areas of these seven deadly sins & have the bruises to prove it. I wish you well on navigating this tricky path we call life & above all else, don’t follow me!

‘I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.’ Socrates

The seven deadly sins: pride, envy, wrath, greed, gluttony, lust & sloth.

The seven deadly sins are considered to be ‘capital’ or ‘cardinal’ sins because they are seen as the roots or sources of other sins. For example, a person who is excessively proud may also be inclined towards other sins such as arrogance, haughtiness, and a lack of humility. Similarly, a person who is consumed by envy may also be inclined towards other sins such as gossip, slander, and betrayal.

Here is an explanation of each of the seven deadly sins:

pride:

‘Pride is a spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense.’ - C.S. Lewis

Pride is a feeling of deep satisfaction and pleasure in one's own achievements, abilities, or qualities, often accompanied by a sense of superiority and self-importance. It can also refer to excessive or unjustified self-esteem or a belief in one's superiority or importance above others. While some degree of pride can be healthy and positive, excessive pride can lead to arrogance, self-centredness, and a lack of empathy for others.

Pride is often considered the root of all the other deadly sins because it can lead to a sense of superiority and self-importance, which can then lead to other negative behaviours and attitudes.

Pride can cause a person to believe that they are better or more deserving than others, leading to envy and a desire for what others have. It can also lead to anger and resentment towards those who challenge or contradict their sense of self-importance, leading to wrath.

Pride can also fuel a desire for more and more, leading to greed and gluttony. And pride can drive a person to seek out their own desires and pleasures without regard for others, leading to lust.

Pride can lead to sloth, as a person may believe that they are already superior and have no need to strive for improvement or growth.

An example of pride can be found in many successful entrepreneurs. I’ve often wondered if anyone really is ‘a self-made millionaire?’ Who drove the train that took them to that important meeting? Who produced the food they ate while they were focusing on their work? It’s always a team effort.

‘Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right.’ - Ezra Taft Benson

envy:

‘Envy is the ulcer of the soul.’ - Socrates

Envy is a feeling of discontent or resentment that arises from coveting another person's qualities, possessions, or achievements. It involves a desire to have what someone else has or to be like someone else, often accompanied by feelings of inadequacy or inferiority. Envy can be directed towards others' material possessions, social status, relationships, or personal attributes, and can be fuelled by feelings of jealousy, competitiveness, and insecurity. Excessive envy can lead to bitterness, resentment, and a negative attitude towards oneself and others.

‘The envious person grows lean with the fatness of their neighbour.’ - Socrates

wrath:

‘Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.’ - Buddha

Wrath, also known as anger, is an intense emotional response to a perceived provocation or injustice. It can range from mild irritation to intense rage and can be directed towards a person, situation, or object. Anger can be a normal and healthy human emotion when expressed in a controlled manner, but uncontrolled or excessive anger can lead to harmful behaviour towards oneself or others.

A phrase I’m fond of as an antidote to my occasional yet unreasonable rages: ‘God is in the pause’.

greed:

‘The greedy man is in need of nothing because he is in need of everything.’ - Epicurus

Greed is an excessive or insatiable desire for wealth, power, or possessions. It is a persistent craving for more than what is necessary or reasonable, often at the expense of others. Greed can be driven by feelings of insecurity, fear, or a need for control, and can lead to selfish or unethical behaviour, such as hoarding, exploitation, or manipulation of others.

My ongoing struggles with a variety of addictions leads me to believe that it is hard to get enough of something when it almost satisfies you!

‘Greed is not a financial issue. It's a heart issue.’ - Andy Stanley

gluttony:

'Gluttony is an emotional escape, a sign that something is eating us.’ - Peter De Vries

Gluttony is the act of excessive or overindulgent consumption of food, drink, or substances, beyond the level of need or satisfaction. It is often associated with a lack of self-control and the indulgence of physical desires, and can result in negative consequences such as obesity, health problems, and addiction.

‘It is better to rise from life as from a banquet - neither thirsty nor drunken.’ - Aristotle

lust:

‘Lust is a deceivingly beautiful mistress that will ultimately consume your soul.’ - Author Unknown

Lust is an intense desire or craving, often of a sexual nature, that can lead to impulsive or uncontrolled behaviour. It is a strong, physical and emotional attraction towards someone or something, often accompanied by fantasies or daydreams. While some degree of lust can be a normal and healthy aspect of human sexuality, excessive or uncontrolled lust can lead to destructive behaviour, such as addiction, infidelity, and exploitation of others.

How many successful men (tends to be men!) have undone a lifetimes-worth of accolades & achievements due to lust?

sloth:

‘Sloth is the devil's pillow.’ - Unknown Author

Sloth is a state of being lazy, apathetic, or idle, and a lack of motivation to engage in productive or meaningful activities. It is a failure to act, or a reluctance to make effort, and can result in neglect or poor performance of responsibilities. Sloth is often associated with feelings of boredom, indifference, or despair, and can be caused by physical or mental exhaustion, lack of inspiration or purpose, or a sense of hopelessness.

The seven deadly sins continue to be a popular and influential framework for understanding human nature and moral behaviour. Many contemporary thinkers continue to explore the relevance and applicability of the seven deadly sins to modern ethical and moral challenges.

Philosophers have offered a range of perspectives on the seven deadly sins. Some philosophers view them as useful frameworks for understanding human nature and the human condition, while others criticise them as arbitrary and limiting. Some argue that the concept of lust is too broad and encompasses too many different forms of sexual expression, while others argue that the concept of pride is too narrow and fails to capture the complexity of human self-esteem and self-respect. What do you make of them? Recognise any of these issues in your daily struggles?

One of the most influential philosophers to discuss the Seven Deadly Sins is St. Thomas Aquinas, a medieval theologian and philosopher. Aquinas saw the seven deadly sins as representing a failure to achieve balance and harmony in the human soul. According to Aquinas, the virtues represent the mean between two extremes, while the seven deadly sins represent the extremes themselves. For example, the virtue of temperance represents the mean between the extremes of excess and deficiency in the area of pleasure, while the sin of gluttony represents the extreme of excess in this area.

It seems all to be about balance & a striving for homeostasis.

I’ll end with some words of encouragement when trying to be the light in the darkness & live up to your ideals:

‘To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.’ Socrates