bee_pipes
01-05-2009, 08:23 AM
There was an interesting series on the History channel about the seven deadly sins. The list is not present in the Bible, at least not enumerated in such a manner, though I am sure most members of the list are mentioned in one place or another. The list itself is more of an institutionalized concept in the old church. With this institutionalization in the old church comes all types of nomenclature – cardinal, venial, etc. They have evolved a fairly rigid framework over the last two millennia.
The seven deadlys are:
1. Lust
2. Gluttony
3. Greed
4. Sloth
5. Wrath
6. Envy
7. Pride
The concept of the list, though, has provided a finite group – useful for contemplation and self-improvement. It has also provided fertile ground for art and literature. For example Hieronymus Bosch, painter of Garden of Earthy Delights, rendered the following painting as an illustration:
http://mystudios.com/art/gothic/bosch/bosch-seven-sins.jpg
Conventional discipline makes avoiding the seven deadlys somewhat of a rigged game. I much prefer Franklin’s approach on striving for moral perfection. He found not-practicing a vice was much more difficult than to practice a virtue antithetic to the vice he wished to avoid. He listed the vices he wished to avoid, then the virtues that would prevent the occasion of the vice. His lst was as follows:
1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. MODERATION. Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
11. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
He was quite organized about it, keeping a diary, and found with thirteen he could work and entire course four times a year.
Franklin is quite an interesting character and his autobiography is a good read – there is more to the man than kites and electricity. His views on organized religion personal worship are particularly interesting. The chapter addressing his search for moral perfection can read at:http://www.earlyamerica.com/lives/franklin/chapt8/]Chapter (
The Autobiography can be read in its entirety at: http://www.earlyamerica.com/lives/franklin/]Autobiography ( [url) of Benjamin Franklin
Well, at any rate, the series on the history channel was interesting. They did cut some corners – repeating footage, etc. to make it a budget piece, but food for thought.
Regards,
Pat
The seven deadlys are:
1. Lust
2. Gluttony
3. Greed
4. Sloth
5. Wrath
6. Envy
7. Pride
The concept of the list, though, has provided a finite group – useful for contemplation and self-improvement. It has also provided fertile ground for art and literature. For example Hieronymus Bosch, painter of Garden of Earthy Delights, rendered the following painting as an illustration:
http://mystudios.com/art/gothic/bosch/bosch-seven-sins.jpg
Conventional discipline makes avoiding the seven deadlys somewhat of a rigged game. I much prefer Franklin’s approach on striving for moral perfection. He found not-practicing a vice was much more difficult than to practice a virtue antithetic to the vice he wished to avoid. He listed the vices he wished to avoid, then the virtues that would prevent the occasion of the vice. His lst was as follows:
1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. MODERATION. Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
11. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
He was quite organized about it, keeping a diary, and found with thirteen he could work and entire course four times a year.
Franklin is quite an interesting character and his autobiography is a good read – there is more to the man than kites and electricity. His views on organized religion personal worship are particularly interesting. The chapter addressing his search for moral perfection can read at:http://www.earlyamerica.com/lives/franklin/chapt8/]Chapter (
The Autobiography can be read in its entirety at: http://www.earlyamerica.com/lives/franklin/]Autobiography ( [url) of Benjamin Franklin
Well, at any rate, the series on the history channel was interesting. They did cut some corners – repeating footage, etc. to make it a budget piece, but food for thought.
Regards,
Pat