A Capital Vice

Lust

St. Thomas treats it at II-II, q. 153. See also every passage on the topic page.

How the Authors Compare

Noldin's article on the capital sins passes over lust, though it is named among the seven. A note there says it is treated in the separately issued work on the sixth precept (n. 337). That work defines it (n. 9) but lists no daughters.
The other authors give St. Gregory's eight daughters, four in the reason and four in the will. Sabetti-Barrett names six effects, among them “languor of faith, indeed even loss of faith” (n. 142). Vermeersch names seven, three of them in the will (he leaves out horror of the future age), and adds: “The four latter effects, but not the former, are grave from their kind” (n. 473). Marc holds the four in the will “per se mortal”, and the four in the reason mortal only “when the ultimate end is placed in the creature, or a grave precept is neglected” (n. 367).
The species are set out in the lines above, those according to nature first; the notes below give the authors' disputes over them.
On merely sensual pleasure sought for its own sake, Merkelbach holds that it “does not exceed venial fault”, adding that Cajetan and St. Alphonsus think otherwise (II, n. 1003). Marc holds the milder opinion “not practically probable” (n. 769), and Sabetti-Barrett says that in practice “there will always be some slight fault” (n. 280). Merkelbach's own Questions on Chastity and Lust add that such pleasure “is a sin grave by its genus” when it carries “the proximate danger of consenting” (Chastity and Lust, Q. II).
On why virginity is a virtue distinct from chastity, Marc gives “a special difficulty, and indeed a very great one” (n. 764); Merkelbach gives “a special excellence” (II, n. 999), and Wouters notes that St. Thomas argues “from a special matter of good having special excellence, rather than from the special difficulty” (n. 20).
All hold that lust directly willed admits no light matter, but they give different reasons. Prümmer, Noldin, Marc and McHugh-Callan rest it on the danger of going further. Merkelbach adds that whoever seeks the incomplete pleasure implicitly wills the complete. Sabetti-Barrett calls venereal pleasure a begun emission (n. 280), an argument Noldin says “does not have universal value” (n. 11).
Two words are used in more than one sense. “Luxury” in our English of Merkelbach, Vermeersch and Bontempi is lust itself (luxuria), while McHugh-Callan uses it for “an excessive desire of health and comfort” (n. 2492). “Purity” in the English Summa is pudicitia, the modesty about the signs of lust; McHugh-Callan uses it for chastity and modesty together (n. 2486), and Noldin for abstinence from illicit emission, as against pudicity (n. 3).
The deflowering of a virgin who consents. St. Thomas makes it a determinate species of lust (II-II, q. 154, a. 6); Merkelbach keeps it a distinct species (II, n. 1008), yet holds it more probably adds no mortal malice to be confessed (II, n. 1008), and his Pastoral calls it “only a venial species” (Pastoral, Ar. II). Prümmer: an aggravating circumstance only, “the common opinion of modern authors” (II, n. 699); Noldin: no sin in the man specifically diverse from fornication (n. 24), though the virgin herself “commits the sin of prodigality”, a light one (n. 24); Wouters, with St. Alphonsus: it “lacks every injustice and is equivalent to mere fornication” (n. 44); Marc: “more probably within the same species” (n. 776); Sabetti-Barrett: “only aggravating” (n. 298); Vermeersch: no new malice, “at least no grave one” (De castitate, n. 318). McHugh-Callan reports authors who count it special only with violence or injury to the parents' right (n. 2529).
What rape requires. With St. Thomas, Merkelbach holds “that violence alone is essential to rape”, without carrying away (II, n. 1009); his Pastoral notes that what the moderns call stuprum St. Thomas calls rape (Pastoral, Ar. II); so Sabetti-Barrett for the internal forum (n. 299), and McHugh-Callan, who keeps it apart from the canonical crime of abduction (n. 2529). Noldin, Marc and Bontempi require abduction from one place to another: force used in the same place is not rape (n. 27, n. 779), and leading a woman a few steps aside “will be fornication” (On abduction, n. 2). Merkelbach does not count fraud or importunate prayers as the violence of rape (II, n. 1009); Bontempi does (On abduction, n. 4). Of a minor who goes willingly without her parents' knowledge, Prümmer, Sabetti-Barrett and the Pastoral say rape (II, n. 700, n. 300, Pastoral, Ar. II), Merkelbach's Summa “not properly rape” (II, n. 1009).
Incest in the first degree. Marc: incest between parent and child differs in species from the rest, “according to the common opinion of the Doctors” (n. 786); so Wouters, with St. Alphonsus (n. 39); Prümmer would have the degree declared (II, n. 701). Noldin holds all degrees probably of one species, St. Alphonsus's exception being “not certain” (n. 22); Vermeersch rejects it, “But in vain” (De castitate, n. 315); Merkelbach: all carnal incests “probably of the same species” (II, n. 1012). Bontempi reports three opinions, from “all degrees of consanguinity are distinct in species” to all of one species, and would have the degrees specified (On incest, n. 6, On incest, n. 9). Marc adds that brother and sister is disputed (n. 786).
Adultery with the spouse consenting: whom it wrongs. All hold it still adultery, Innocent XI having condemned the contrary (II, n. 703). Wouters: the wrong is done “against the husband himself”, his right persisting (n. 37). Merkelbach and McHugh-Callan: not to the consenting husband but to the married state (II, n. 1011, n. 2530); so the Pastoral (Pastoral, Ar. III). Vermeersch: by his assent the spouse “can certainly remove” the injustice toward himself, piety and religion remaining wronged, so that such adultery “differs in species” from the common kind (De castitate, n. 313, De castitate, n. 313).
Breaking off the act once begun. Merkelbach's Pastoral: lawful from displeasure at the sin, even with danger of pollution, but not for fear of infamy (Pastoral, Ar. I); McHugh-Callan: the pollution “may be excused” if it comes from the good purpose to stop (n. 2526); Vermeersch, with Sanchez: lawful, and finishing it after a new deliberation more probably a new sin, though Palmieri inclines the other way (De castitate, n. 312). Wouters: lawful, “indeed there is an obligation of doing so” (n. 51). Bontempi rejects breaking off, as “a new sin against nature, graver than fornication” (On fornication, n. 9).
Expelling the seed afterward. Merkelbach holds it unlawful even for a woman forced (II, n. 1010); so his Pastoral (Pastoral, Ar. II) and Wouters with St. Alphonsus (n. 44). Marc: “Probably an oppressed woman does not commit sin who at once expels the seed”, the right of repelling aggression prevailing (n. 742), though one who sinned willingly may not (n. 742). Vermeersch goes further: he does “not contradict Alberti” that a woman who has sincerely repented of fornication may so impede generation (De castitate, n. 312).
Tolerating prostitution. Prümmer gives the common teaching after St. Augustine and St. Thomas that the magistrate may tolerate it, but whether greater evils are so avoided “is a very difficult question of fact” (II, n. 698); McHugh-Callan: “Practically, the question is open to dispute” (n. 2528). Marc: the denying opinion is “practically more probable” (n. 775); Noldin: “Brothels seem in no way to be tolerated” (n. 18); Wouters: the severer opinion of St. Alphonsus now “seems wholly to be followed” (n. 34).
A pastor or confessor who sins with those in his care. Noldin, Wouters, Marc, the Pastoral and Vermeersch: a pastor with a parishioner is not incest, but adds injustice (n. 21, n. 39); Marc reports several extending it to a guardian (n. 786). A confessor outside confession commits neither incest nor that injustice (Pastoral, Ar. IV); Vermeersch, with de Lugo, against Sanchez (De castitate, n. 320), but judges more severely a spiritual director appointed by authority (De castitate, n. 320). Bontempi reports authors on both sides of incest between confessor and penitent (On incest, n. 14).
Another's betrothed. Noldin and McHugh-Callan report three opinions on whether sin with a betrothed person changes the species (n. 20, n. 2526). Wouters, Marc, the Pastoral and Bontempi deny that it is adultery (n. 37, n. 782, Pastoral, Ar. III, On adultery, n. 7), the Pastoral judging it graver in the woman.
Pollution or fornication: which is graver. With St. Thomas the authors set the sins against nature highest in the genus of lust (II-II, q. 154, a. 12): Prümmer finds pollution “a graver injury to chastity than adultery”, though adultery is simply graver for its injustice (II, n. 704); so Merkelbach (II, n. 1015). Vermeersch grants that in the genus of lust “pollution exceeds fornication in gravity” (De castitate, n. 342), yet holds that “it must be said to have a guilt simply less”, fornication adding the danger of offspring, complicity, audacity and obstinacy (De castitate, n. 342). The Pastoral allows that a sin according to nature may be graver “on the part of the agent” (Pastoral, Q. Four).
Where pollution's malice lies, and whether women, boys and eunuchs commit it. Prümmer places it “formally in venereal pleasure inordinately desired” (II, n. 705); Wouters reports Eschbach and Noldin placing it chiefly in the pleasure, and rejects it for the disorder of the act itself (n. 50); the Pastoral: it is “badly defined” as pleasure or as loss of seed (Pastoral, Ar. I); Vermeersch: the prohibition is of using the generative faculty, “not a prohibition against pouring forth semen” (De castitate, n. 329); Sabetti-Barrett: the malice is not in the loss of seed but in seeking outside marriage the pleasure bound to it (n. 304). From this follows the dispute on women: Noldin: “female pollution is not a consummated sin against nature” (n. 30); Wouters finds it disputed (n. 50); Merkelbach, Marc and the rest hold the same sin in women (II, n. 1016, n. 793). Of boys and eunuchs, Sabetti-Barrett reports many holding them “immune from the malice of pollution” (n. 304); the Pastoral excludes boys, “not in infants and boys” (Pastoral, Ar. I); Vermeersch counts all capable of intercourse the same, “against Noldin” (De castitate, n. 328).
What sodomy requires. Noldin: it does not belong to intercourse “that there be penetration of some vessel” (n. 42); Marc likewise (n. 802); Vermeersch: “no penetration of the sexual organ into any vessel is required” (De castitate, n. 343). Wouters: without congress in a vessel it “is not sodomy”, but pollution with a sodomitic affection (n. 52); Merkelbach: “intercourse to an undue vessel is required” (II, n. 1015); so his Pastoral (Pastoral, Ar. II). Between women, accordingly, Wouters holds it cannot be exercised, the structure being normal (n. 52), the Pastoral that a perfectly consummated act is perhaps impossible (Pastoral, Ar. II), while Noldin and Vermeersch admit it (n. 42, De castitate, n. 343).
Wishing for a natural pollution. Vermeersch, with Sanchez, Lessius and most: lawful “to desire it by a simple affection because of the conveniences which follow it”, and to rejoice in it (De castitate, n. 330); so the Pastoral (Pastoral, Ar. I) and McHugh-Callan (n. 2536); Bontempi, with Navarre, Toledo and Sanchez, grants it against Valentia, Soto and Sylvius (Subdoubt IV: On pollution, n. 12, Subdoubt IV: On pollution, n. 11). Vermeersch further lets one whose emissions come with difficulty “take a suitable medicine” so that nature may act regularly (De castitate, n. 330); the Pastoral reports this as his judgment, while holding that one may not procure or assist it (Pastoral, Ar. I).
Resisting carnal movements. Prümmer: theologians dispute whether one sins mortally who neither consents nor resists, but “in practice an act of displeasure of the will must be posited”, and that, seriously made, suffices (II, n. 690). Marc: where the danger is remote, it is only venial not to resist positively (n. 322); where proximate, one must resist, “at least through an act of simple displeasure” (n. 322). Noldin, without a reasonable cause for admitting them, requires positive resistance, since “an act of simple displeasure concerning the movement and carnal delectation does not suffice” (n. 50).
The widowed and the betrothed. Prümmer, with Cajetan and Ballerini: “theoretically speaking, a widow can rejoice over licit acts had in marriage”, and joy of the betrothed in their future marriage is not clearly forbidden, though all counsel avoiding both (n. 401); McHugh-Callan counts the widower's memory without present commotion no sin (n. 2507). Wouters, with St. Alphonsus, “although many contradict”, holds such delight unlawful (n. 121); Marc, “according to the truer opinion” (n. 357). Of kisses between the betrothed, Vermeersch reports Sanchez, Cajetan and Navarre judging the pleasure they bring only venial (De castitate, n. 293), and rejects it “with most authors” (De castitate, n. 293); Sabetti-Barrett, with St. Alphonsus, likewise, though “perhaps it can sometimes be useful to confessors” (n. 282); Prümmer allows the kisses customary between them (II, n. 693).
Nude statues, pictures and artists' models. Noldin: a fixed and lingering look at plainly naked statues without necessity “is a grave sin”, unless they are very ancient (n. 57); Prümmer: truly artistic representations ordinarily are “not a grave danger for an adult and serious person” (II, n. 695); Marc reports St. Alphonsus that he does not know how a lingering look at a painted nude can be excused (n. 814), and Sabetti-Barrett agrees (n. 286); Vermeersch judges by cause, manner and object, “A painting sharpens the stimuli of the flesh more than a sculpture” (De castitate, n. 400). Of models, Prümmer, Noldin and McHugh-Callan allow them so far as the art truly needs them (II, n. 695, n. 60, n. 2511), while Marc calls it “sharply disputed” (n. 815); Noldin holds that without necessity those who pose sin gravely (n. 60), Vermeersch that those who charge such women with grave sin are “excessively severe” (De castitate, n. 399).
Desiring a sin on condition that it were lawful. Marc: such a desire is regularly not grave, the condition taking away the malice (n. 349), and this is “sufficiently probable” even of things evil in themselves (n. 349); Wouters, with St. Alphonsus, doubts there is a true desire at all, though “most authors accuse” it (n. 125). Vermeersch: it is not lawful, as though grieving over the prohibition, “deliberately to adhere to this will” to fornicate if it were not forbidden (De castitate, n. 369); Prümmer counts what one would do “if it were licit” among inefficacious desires, every one of which is gravely illicit (n. 402).
Whether the incomplete acts are a species of their own. McHugh-Callan: “Theoretically, it is more probable” that they do not differ from the complete sins they tend to (n. 2519). Merkelbach: immodesty differs in species from consummated lust “as an imperfect species differs from a perfect one” (II, n. 1026); so Vermeersch, when one stops at them (De castitate, n. 350). Among themselves, Prümmer reports the common modern opinion that looks differ in species from touches (II, n. 692), and finds Billuart's contrary “theoretically true” (II, n. 692); Merkelbach: touches take the species of the person touched, looks do not (II, n. 1026).
Delight and the circumstances of what is pictured. Prümmer: whether delight in a represented sin takes its circumstances (another's wife, a kinswoman) is disputed, and “Each opinion, namely, the affirmative and the negative, is theoretically probable” (II, n. 686). Noldin and Merkelbach: it does not, unless the will delights in those circumstances (n. 62, II, n. 1023); Marc agrees speculatively, but notes that in practice “the opposite opinion greatly pleases St. Alphonsus” where a determinate person is pictured (n. 357).

What It Is

Each line is one thing said. Authors named first use those words. Those after “in nearly the same words” say the same thing differently; point at a name to see their words.

“lust consists essentially in exceeding the order and mode of reason in the matter of venereal acts”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 3In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 420; Merkelbach I, n. 505; Noldin n. 9; Wouters n. 309; McHugh-Callan n. 2492; Marc n. 367; Vermeersch n. 473; Bontempi What lust is, and of how many kind, n. 1; Sabetti-Barrett n. 142
Why this matter above all: “venereal pleasures above all debauch a man's mind”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1000
What makes it inordinate: “lust consists in venereal delectation voluntarily admitted outside marriage, or indeed in marriage, but against the laws of marriage”	Noldin n. 9In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1000; Marc n. 767; McHugh-Callan n. 2492; Sabetti-Barrett n. 279; Wouters n. 25; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV
The good it serves: “so is the use of venereal acts directed to the preservation of the whole human race”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 2In nearly the same words: Marc n. 367; McHugh-Callan n. 2492; Noldin n. 6
Why it is capital: “the end of lust is venereal pleasure, which is very great”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 4In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 420; Wouters n. 30; Bontempi What lust is, and of how many kind, n. 3; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV; McHugh-Callan n. 2494
Fed by gluttony: “in so far as gluttony provides the bodily matter of lust”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 4, ad 1
Forbidden twice, in deed and in desire: “Each of these crimes is forbidden by a twofold precept”	Prümmer II, n. 680In nearly the same words: Sabetti-Barrett n. 278; Merkelbach II, n. 1001

What It Is Not

Not every venereal act: “the use of venereal acts can be without sin, provided they be performed in due manner and order, in keeping with the end of human procreation”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 2In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 681
The wide sense of the word: “secondarily it applies to any other matters pertaining to excess”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 1, ad 1In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 681
Mere pleasure of the senses: “Pleasure which is called sensible or natural of itself lacks every fault”	Sabetti-Barrett n. 280In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 7; Merkelbach Chastity and Lust, Q. II
Not sensuality, comfort or curiosity: “we should distinguish impurity from sensuality”	McHugh-Callan n. 2492
Motions not consented to: “Sensation does no harm where there is no consent.”	Prümmer II, n. 682In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2497
With a just cause: “If they are exercised on account of necessity or a just cause”	Marc n. 769In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2497; Merkelbach Chastity and Lust, Q. II
Suffering violence: “not even the violence of another's lust can deprive her body of its holiness”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 151, a. 1, ad 2
Not incest, once the impediment is dispensed: “If blood relatives or relatives by affinity sin after they have been dispensed for entering marriage, they do not commit incest”	Noldin n. 21In nearly the same words: Wouters n. 38; Marc n. 786; McHugh-Callan n. 2531; Merkelbach II, n. 1012
Not the woman forced, if she resists: “In order that a woman oppressed by force may be immune from every sin, she is bound not only inwardly to resist venereal pleasure, but also outwardly to repel the violator with all her strength”	Prümmer II, n. 699In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1010; Noldin n. 24; Wouters n. 44; Marc n. 778; McHugh-Callan n. 2529; Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. II
Not always formal, where its malice is unknown: “It can happen that there is ignorance, even invincible ignorance, concerning the malice of fornication”	Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. IIn nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2524
Not pollution in sleep, of itself: “Nocturnal pollution may be considered in two ways. First, in itself; and thus it has not the character of a sin.”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 5In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 705; Merkelbach II, n. 1019; Noldin n. 33; McHugh-Callan n. 2536; Marc n. 797; Sabetti-Barrett n. 303; Bontempi Subdoubt IV: On pollution, n. 2; Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. I
Not pollution foreseen from a lawful act done for a proportionate cause: “It is not illicit to posit an action from which pollution is foreseen to follow, provided the action is licit in itself and at the same time necessary or useful”	Merkelbach II, n. 1018In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 37; McHugh-Callan n. 2536; Marc n. 796; Bontempi Subdoubt IV: On pollution, n. 23
No duty to stop one begun in sleep, consent withheld: “but there is no obligation of impeding pollution spontaneously occurring or already begun in sleep”	Noldin n. 34In nearly the same words: Marc n. 798; McHugh-Callan n. 2536; Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. I; Bontempi Subdoubt IV: On pollution, n. 7
Not immodest of themselves, these acts, when there is a cause: “First, by reason of its species, and in this way a kiss, caress, or touch does not, of its very nature, imply a mortal sin”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 4In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 691; Merkelbach II, n. 1025; Noldin n. 51; Wouters n. 71
Not customary kisses and embraces: “Kisses, embraces, and handlings of hands according to the custom of the country, for the sake of courtesy, friendship, or kinship, are licit”	Merkelbach II, n. 1027In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 693; Noldin n. 37
Not the bare thought of such things, for study or teaching: “Voluntary delectation concerning the thought or cognition of a venereal thing is not mortally evil; indeed of itself it is no sin.”	Merkelbach II, n. 1021In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 685; Marc n. 357
Not of itself mortal, coarse talk in jest among the hardened: “To speak shameful things for the sake of jest, recreation, or vain consolation, especially among men accustomed to these things, as among workers or the rude, or among married women, although it is inordinate and reprehensible, of itself is not mortal”	Merkelbach II, n. 1028In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 696; Noldin n. 56

The Opposed Virtue

“venereal pleasure which is the proper matter of chastity and of lust its contrary vice”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 151, a. 2In nearly the same words: Vermeersch n. 473; Noldin n. 1; Wouters n. 444; Bontempi What lust is, and of how many kind, n. 1
The virtue: “a special virtue having a special matter, namely the concupiscences relating to venereal pleasures”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 151, a. 2In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 674; Merkelbach II, n. 994; Noldin n. 1; Wouters n. 441; McHugh-Callan n. 2486; Marc n. 764; Vermeersch n. 22; Bontempi On chastity, n. 1
The name: “has affinity with the word castigare, to chastise”	Merkelbach II, n. 994In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 151, a. 1; Wouters n. 441; Marc n. 764
Not abstinence: “chastity, which is about venereal pleasures, is a distinct virtue from abstinence, which is about pleasures of the palate”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 151, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 995; Wouters n. 14; Bontempi On chastity, n. 4
Modesty (pudicitia), which the English Summa calls purity: “purity is directed to chastity, not as a virtue distinct therefrom, but as expressing a circumstance of chastity”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 151, a. 4In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 675; Merkelbach II, n. 997; Noldin n. 3; McHugh-Callan n. 2487; Marc n. 764; Wouters n. 443
By state of life, youthful, conjugal and widowed: “By reason of the state to which it ought to correspond, a threefold chastity is distinguished”	Noldin n. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 998; Wouters n. 443; Marc n. 764
Or conjugal, widowed and virginal: “Chastity was distinguished by the ancient theologians as threefold, namely, conjugal, widowly, and virginal”	Prümmer II, n. 675In nearly the same words: Bontempi On chastity, n. 5; Wouters n. 15
McHugh-Callan's two: “Hence, there is a twofold chastity, conjugal and celibate”	McHugh-Callan n. 2486
Virginity: “Virginity is a special virtue, having itself toward chastity as magnificence toward liberality”	Marc n. 764In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 999; Noldin n. 3; Wouters n. 20
Its rank: “it must be held with divine faith that the state of virginity and celibacy is to be preferred to marriage”	Marc n. 765In nearly the same words: Wouters n. 21; Merkelbach II, n. 999
Chastity in the wide sense: “the essence of this chastity consists principally in charity and the other theological virtues, whereby the human mind is united to God”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 151, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 994; Marc n. 764
The other extreme: “the contrary vice is comprised under insensibility”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 3, ad 3In nearly the same words: Vermeersch n. 22

See Temperance, and what the capital vices feed.

Its Gravity

Why grave: “The more necessary a thing is, the more it behooves one to observe the order of reason in its regard”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1002; McHugh-Callan n. 2494
“Luxury is a mortal sin from its kind”	Merkelbach II, n. 1002In nearly the same words: Wouters n. 29; McHugh-Callan n. 2494; Sabetti-Barrett n. 142; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV
Were it allowed: “if men could licitly enjoy venereal delectation and in this way quiet concupiscence outside marriage, most would refuse the burdens of marriage”	Noldin n. 11In nearly the same words: Marc n. 768
A wrong to God, the Lord of the body: “by inordinately using the body through lust a man wrongs God Who is the Supreme Lord of our body”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 3, ad 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1002; Wouters n. 28; McHugh-Callan n. 2494; Merkelbach Chastity and Lust, Q. II
Scripture: “among the works which exclude from the kingdom of God, enumerates luxury”	Merkelbach II, n. 1002In nearly the same words: Marc n. 768; Noldin n. 11; McHugh-Callan n. 2494
When directly willed, no light matter: “Venereal pleasure directly willed outside legitimate marriage is a mortal sin from its whole genus, so that it admits no smallness of matter”	Prümmer II, n. 682In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1003; Noldin n. 11; Wouters n. 311; McHugh-Callan n. 2496; Marc n. 367; Sabetti-Barrett n. 280; Bontempi Whether there is parvity of matter, n. 5; Merkelbach Chastity and Lust, Q. II
The reason most give, the danger: “for venereal delectation, once freely admitted or sought, naturally and necessarily snatches one toward complete delectation”	Noldin n. 11In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 682; Marc n. 768; Merkelbach II, n. 1003; McHugh-Callan n. 2496
Merkelbach's further reason: “it is impossible for anyone to seek incomplete venereal pleasure without implicitly seeking and willing the complete pleasure”	Merkelbach II, n. 1003; Merkelbach Chastity and Lust, Q. II
Sabetti-Barrett's reason, which Noldin finds not universal: “venereal pleasure is a certain begun emission of semen, or a natural and necessary motion toward it”	Sabetti-Barrett n. 280In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 11
The older dissent: “Thus holds the most common opinion against Caramuel and a few other older authors, who admit smallness of matter even in lust directly willed”	Prümmer II, n. 682In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 11; Bontempi Whether there is parvity of matter, n. 2
The Church's condemnation: “proposition 40 condemned by Alexander VII”	Prümmer II, n. 682In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1003; Marc n. 768; McHugh-Callan n. 2496; Bontempi Whether there is parvity of matter, n. 10
When only indirectly willed: “Venereal pleasure only indirectly willed is not a mortal sin from its whole genus, but admits smallness of matter”	Prümmer II, n. 683In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 11; Wouters n. 311; McHugh-Callan n. 2496; Marc n. 769; Sabetti-Barrett n. 142; Merkelbach II, n. 1003
Measured by the cause: “Venereal delectation indirectly, or in the cause, willed is only as much sin as the cause itself is in the genus of lust”	Noldin n. 12In nearly the same words: Marc n. 769; McHugh-Callan n. 2496; Merkelbach Chastity and Lust, Q. II
Or venial by imperfection of the act: “By reason of the imperfection of the act, impurity is venial when there is no sufficient deliberation or consent”	McHugh-Callan n. 2496In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 682
Not the gravest of sins: “Impurity is not the worst of sins”	McHugh-Callan n. 2494In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 680; Noldin n. 11
Yet the most shameful: “Among the vices of intemperance, venereal sins are most deserving of reproach”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 151, a. 4, ad 3In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 11; McHugh-Callan n. 2494
The most dangerous: “Therefore this sin is most dangerous for our eternal salvation.”	Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IVIn nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 680; Bontempi What lust is, and of how many kind, n. 13
Ignorance: “Invincible ignorance is more easily admitted as regards impure thoughts and depraved desires, if they are inefficacious”	Noldin n. 13In nearly the same words: Marc n. 770; McHugh-Callan n. 2496
St. Bonaventure, in Bontempi, against gluttony: “whence in gluttony it is more easily venial”	Bontempi Whether there is parvity of matter, n. 8
Adultery graver in the wife, gravest when both are married: “The second is graver than the first, because it is more repugnant for one woman to be mingled with many men than for one man to be mingled with many women”	Merkelbach II, n. 1011In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2530; Wouters n. 37; Marc n. 782; Bontempi On adultery, n. 6; Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. III
Fornication not evil by prohibition only (Innocent XI): “Hence Innocent XI deservedly condemned proposition 48”	Prümmer II, n. 698In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1006; Wouters n. 33; Marc n. 773
Adultery still, though the spouse consents (Innocent XI): “Even if a husband consents to the fornication of his wife, nevertheless true adultery is present, because the husband cannot cede his right.”	Prümmer II, n. 703In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1011; Noldin n. 20; Wouters n. 35; McHugh-Callan n. 2530; Marc n. 781; Sabetti-Barrett n. 292; Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. III
The worst of them, the vice against nature and incest: “Hence, the sin of unnatural lust (which injures the race by defeating its propagation) and the sin of incest (which injures the family by offending piety) are the worst of carnal vices.”	McHugh-Callan n. 2521In nearly the same words: Bontempi On adultery, n. 9
Pollution directly willed, always mortal (Innocent XI): “Pollution directly and perfectly voluntary is always a mortal sin, so that it is never licit to procure it.”	Sabetti-Barrett n. 302In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 705; Merkelbach II, n. 1017; Noldin n. 34; Wouters n. 50; McHugh-Callan n. 2539; Marc n. 792; Bontempi Subdoubt IV: On pollution, n. 26
Not even for health, nor for a physician's test: “Therefore it is never licit directly to procure pollution, not even if ejection of semen seemed necessary for preserving health”	Noldin n. 34In nearly the same words: Marc n. 793; McHugh-Callan n. 2535; Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. I; Bontempi Subdoubt IV: On pollution, n. 28
Willed in its cause, grave or light as the cause: “Pollution indirectly or only in the cause voluntary is a grave sin whenever the proximate cause, and one tending by its own nature to pollution, e.g., lingering thoughts about very lustful things, is posited without just reason”	Sabetti-Barrett n. 302In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1018; Noldin n. 35; Marc n. 795; McHugh-Callan n. 2539; Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. I
Gravest in the genus of lust, though adultery and sacrilege add other malice: “Therefore, since by the unnatural vices man transgresses that which has been determined by nature with regard to the use of venereal actions, it follows that in this matter this sin is gravest of all.”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 12In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 704; Merkelbach II, n. 1015; Noldin n. 14; McHugh-Callan n. 2534; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. Four
Among them, bestiality worst, then sodomy, the undue mode, pollution: “Wherefore among sins against nature, the lowest place belongs to the sin of uncleanness, which consists in the mere omission of copulation with another. While the most grievous is the sin of bestiality”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 12, ad 4In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1015; Noldin n. 45; Wouters n. 56; McHugh-Callan n. 2534; Prümmer II, n. 707; Marc n. 805; Sabetti-Barrett n. 309; Bontempi Subdoubt II: On bestiality, n. 1; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. Four
Sodomy much graver than pollution: “Sodomy is a crime much graver than simple pollution”	Noldin n. 43In nearly the same words: Marc n. 802; Sabetti-Barrett n. 306
Delight consented to, mortal: “Morose delectation, or direct and fully deliberate consent to the very pleasure of a depraved venereal thing through the apprehension of it as present, is always a mortal sin.”	Merkelbach II, n. 1022In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 685; Noldin n. 62; Wouters n. 120
Desire, as grave as the deed desired: “Every impure desire (even an inefficacious one) is gravely illicit (if it is fully voluntary) and is of the same gravity as the external work itself which is desired.”	Prümmer II, n. 688In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 63; Merkelbach II, n. 1023
Done for venereal pleasure, always mortal (Alexander VII): “Therefore in so far as they are lustful, they are mortal sins.”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 4In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 691; Merkelbach II, n. 1027; Wouters n. 71; Sabetti-Barrett n. 281
Without a cause, grave or light by the danger, the parts and the person: “Honorable parts are those which are exposed to the sight of all, such as the hands, face, etc.; the breast and legs are held to be less honorable parts”	Prümmer II, n. 691In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 51; Merkelbach II, n. 1025
Obscene talk and reading, grave by the end, the danger, the scandal: “To speak, sing, write, signify by gesture, hear, or read shameful things from carnal delectation, or with proximate danger of consent to it, or with grave scandal, is a mortal sin.”	Merkelbach II, n. 1028In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 696; Noldin n. 58; Sabetti-Barrett n. 288

Its Kinds

Complete and incomplete: “Lust is distinguished into consummated and non-consummated”	Prümmer II, n. 681In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 10; Wouters n. 310; McHugh-Callan n. 2493; Marc n. 767; Vermeersch n. 22; Merkelbach II, n. 1001; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV
According to nature and against it: “Consummated lust is subdivided into that according to nature and that contrary to nature”	Prümmer II, n. 681In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 10; Wouters n. 26; Vermeersch n. 22; McHugh-Callan n. 2493; St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 1
Internal and external: “merely internal, which consists in the mere affection or desire for venereal pleasure or use, and is prohibited by the ninth precept of the decalogue”	Merkelbach II, n. 1001In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2493; Vermeersch n. 22; Marc n. 767; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV
Directly and indirectly willed: “Lust by reason of intention is one thing directly, another indirectly, willed”	Noldin n. 10In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 681; Wouters n. 26; Marc n. 767; Sabetti-Barrett n. 279; Vermeersch n. 22
Fornication, mortal by the law of nature itself: “Without any doubt we must hold simple fornication to be a mortal sin”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 2In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 698; Merkelbach II, n. 1006; Noldin n. 17; Wouters n. 33; McHugh-Callan n. 2524; Marc n. 773; Sabetti-Barrett n. 290; Bontempi On fornication, n. 4; Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. I
Concubinage and prostitution, the same species, graver in degree: “Concubinage and prostitution are not distinguished in species from simple fornication, but are diverse grades of the same species.”	Merkelbach II, n. 1007In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 698; Noldin n. 17; Wouters n. 34; McHugh-Callan n. 2527; Marc n. 774; Sabetti-Barrett n. 290; Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. I
Seduction, the deflowering of a virgin: “Therefore it is evident that seduction which denotes the unlawful violation of a virgin, while still under the guardianship of her parents, is a determinate species of lust.”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 6In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1008; Prümmer II, n. 699; Noldin n. 23; Wouters n. 43; McHugh-Callan n. 2529; Marc n. 776; Sabetti-Barrett n. 297; Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. II
Rape, violence used for lust: “Rape, in the sense in which we speak of it now, is a species of lust”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 7In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1009; Prümmer II, n. 700; Noldin n. 27; McHugh-Callan n. 2529; Marc n. 779; Sabetti-Barrett n. 300; Bontempi On abduction, n. 1; Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. II
Adultery, against chastity and justice: “Hence it is manifest that adultery is a determinate species of lust, through having a special deformity in venereal acts.”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 8In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 703; Merkelbach II, n. 1011; Noldin n. 20; Wouters n. 37; McHugh-Callan n. 2530; Marc n. 781; Sabetti-Barrett n. 292; Bontempi On adultery, n. 5; Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. III
Incest, against chastity and piety: “Now sexual intercourse with women related by consanguinity or affinity is unbecoming to venereal union on three counts.”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 9In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 701; Merkelbach II, n. 1012; Noldin n. 22; Wouters n. 39; McHugh-Callan n. 2532; Marc n. 784; Sabetti-Barrett n. 294; Bontempi On incest, n. 1; Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. IV
Sacrilege, lust against what is consecrated: “and in this way sacrilege may be accounted a species of lust”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 10In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1013; Prümmer II, n. 702
Against nature, its kinds: “and this is called "the unnatural vice." This may happen in several ways.”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 11In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 704; Merkelbach II, n. 1014; Noldin n. 14; McHugh-Callan n. 2534; Marc n. 789; Sabetti-Barrett n. 288; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. Four
Each a species of its own (Alexander VII): “These three sins differ in species among themselves; therefore proposition 24 was condemned by Alexander VII”	Prümmer II, n. 704In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1014; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. Four
Pollution, the solitary sin: “Pollution, or the solitary sin, is the separated complete use of the genitals without intercourse.”	Merkelbach II, n. 1016In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 11; Prümmer II, n. 705; Noldin n. 29; Wouters n. 49; McHugh-Callan n. 2535; Marc n. 790; Sabetti-Barrett n. 301; Bontempi Subdoubt IV: On pollution, n. 1; Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. I
Sodomy, with the same sex; improperly, in an undue vessel: “Thirdly, by copulation with an undue sex, male with male, or female with female”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 11In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 706; Merkelbach II, n. 1014; Noldin n. 42; Wouters n. 52; McHugh-Callan n. 2534; Marc n. 802; Sabetti-Barrett n. 305; Bontempi Subdoubt I: On sodomy, n. 1; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. Four
Bestiality: “Secondly, by copulation with a thing of undue species, and this is called "bestiality."”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 11In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 707; Merkelbach II, n. 1014; Noldin n. 44; Wouters n. 55; McHugh-Callan n. 2534; Marc n. 805; Sabetti-Barrett n. 308; Bontempi Subdoubt II: On bestiality, n. 1; Merkelbach Pastoral, Ar. III
The undue mode, onanism: “Fourthly, by not observing the natural manner of copulation, either as to undue means, or as to other monstrous and bestial manners of copulation.”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 11In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1014; McHugh-Callan n. 2534; Marc n. 801; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. Four
Immodesty: “Impudicity is voluntary occupation about those things which induce venereal delectation”	Noldin n. 9In nearly the same words: Marc n. 767; Wouters n. 444
Inward, three: delight, joy, desire: “There are three internal sins of lust: 1. morose delectation; 2. joy; 3. desire.”	Prümmer II, n. 684In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1020; Noldin n. 60; McHugh-Callan n. 2508
Carnal movements: “Carnal or venereal movements are the commotions of the genital parts and of the humors existing in those organs”	Prümmer II, n. 689In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 48
Outward, the acts of immodesty: “such as touches, kisses, embraces, looks, and, if it is mixed with them, shameful speech”	Merkelbach II, n. 1024In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 154, a. 4; Noldin n. 47; Prümmer II, n. 691; McHugh-Callan n. 2510; Marc n. 807

The Daughters of Lust

The headings are St. Thomas's.

In the reason
blindness of mind	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 5; Prümmer n. 420; Merkelbach I, n. 505; Wouters n. 312; Marc n. 367; Vermeersch n. 473; Bontempi What lust is, and of how many kind, n. 2; Sabetti-Barrett n. 142In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2494
rashness	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 5In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 420; Merkelbach I, n. 505; Wouters n. 312; McHugh-Callan n. 2494; Marc n. 367; Vermeersch n. 473; Bontempi What lust is, and of how many kind, n. 2
thoughtlessness	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 5In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 420; Merkelbach I, n. 505; Wouters n. 312; McHugh-Callan n. 2494; Marc n. 367; Vermeersch n. 473; Bontempi What lust is, and of how many kind, n. 2; Sabetti-Barrett n. 142
inconstancy	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 5; Prümmer n. 420; Merkelbach I, n. 505; Wouters n. 312; Marc n. 367; Vermeersch n. 473; Bontempi What lust is, and of how many kind, n. 2; Sabetti-Barrett n. 142In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2494
In the will
self-love	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 5In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 420; Merkelbach I, n. 505; Wouters n. 312; McHugh-Callan n. 2494; Marc n. 367; Vermeersch n. 473; Bontempi What lust is, and of how many kind, n. 2
hatred of God	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 5; Prümmer n. 420; Merkelbach I, n. 505; Wouters n. 312; McHugh-Callan n. 2494; Marc n. 367; Vermeersch n. 473; Bontempi What lust is, and of how many kind, n. 2; Sabetti-Barrett n. 142
love of this world	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 5In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 420; Merkelbach I, n. 505; Wouters n. 312; McHugh-Callan n. 2494; Marc n. 367; Vermeersch n. 473; Bontempi What lust is, and of how many kind, n. 2
despair of a future world	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 5In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 420; Merkelbach I, n. 505; Wouters n. 312; McHugh-Callan n. 2494; Marc n. 367; Bontempi What lust is, and of how many kind, n. 2
Others also named
languor of faith, indeed even loss of faith	Sabetti-Barrett n. 142
Isidore's four, of speech: obscene, scurrilous, wanton and foolish talking	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 5In nearly the same words: Bontempi What lust is, and of how many kind, n. 8; McHugh-Callan n. 2494; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV
Why these: “when the lower powers are strongly moved towards their objects, the result is that the higher powers are hindered and disordered in their acts”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 5In nearly the same words: Merkelbach I, n. 505; Wouters n. 30; Bontempi What lust is, and of how many kind, n. 4
“intemperance is the chief corruptive of prudence”	St. Thomas II-II, q. 153, a. 5, ad 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach I, n. 505; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV
How grave they are: “The four latter effects, but not the former, are grave from their kind.”	Vermeersch n. 473In nearly the same words: Marc n. 367

The Remedies

The fuller lists are the manuals'. Where an author has no list, the entries are what that author says in passing, gathered from wherever it is said.

The headings are Merkelbach's in the Pastoral Questions, where the remedies “are reduced to certain genera” (Pastoral, Q. IV). In his little work on chastity he divides them otherwise: some “natural or hygienic as to the body” (Pastoral, Q. Seven), some “psychological as to the senses” (Pastoral, Q. Seven), and some “moral as to the soul” (Pastoral, Q. Seven), these remote or proximate, and the proximate “either negative” (flight from occasions) or positive (Pastoral, Q. Seven). Wouters and Prümmer, writing of the remedies against the habit of one species, divide them into natural and supernatural (n. 79), Prümmer into “moral and supernatural” and “natural and hygienic” (II, n. 705). Wouters counts flight from occasions among the supernatural (n. 80).

Chaste education
“Apply every remedy to get yourself out of the power of this sin.”	Deshon Guide, ch. LXIII
“Chaste education, by which we learn to reverence our body”	Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IVIn nearly the same words: Vermeersch n. 20; Prümmer II, n. 676
Flight from occasions and causes
“flight from occasions”	Prümmer n. 420In nearly the same words: Marc n. 367; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV; St. Thomas II-II, q. 35, a. 1, ad 4; St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. I; Spirago UNCHASTITY
“flight from idleness”	Prümmer n. 420In nearly the same words: Roman Catechism The Sixth Commandment
Vigilance and mortification
“custody of the senses, chiefly of the eyes”	Marc n. 367In nearly the same words: Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV; McHugh-Callan n. 2501; Vermeersch n. 20
“mortification of the flesh”	Marc n. 367In nearly the same words: Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV; St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. I; McHugh-Callan n. 2501; Bontempi Question III: On lust, n. 1
“temperance”	Prümmer n. 420In nearly the same words: Roman Catechism The Sixth Commandment; St. Thomas II-II, q. 147, a. 1; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV
“Labor and bodily weariness.”	Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IVIn nearly the same words: Vermeersch n. 20; McHugh-Callan n. 2501
“Prompt repulsion of thoughts and resistance against temptations, especially indirect resistance, by turning the mind to those things which hold it more strongly.”	Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IVIn nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2500; Merkelbach Chastity and Lust, Q. II
Humble and continual prayer
“humble and frequent prayer”	Prümmer n. 420In nearly the same words: Marc n. 367; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV; McHugh-Callan n. 2501; St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. I
“Frequent and express petition of chastity from the Lord.”	Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV
“memory of the last things”	Marc n. 367In nearly the same words: Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV
“frequentation of the sacraments”	Prümmer n. 420In nearly the same words: Marc n. 367; Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV; Merkelbach III, n. 266; Vermeersch n. 20; Noldin III, n. 104; Roman Catechism The Sixth Commandment
“constant cult and frequent invocation of the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived without stain”	Marc n. 367In nearly the same words: Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IV; McHugh-Callan n. 2501
Other means
“a great desire for chastity, and a firm purpose, to be renewed rather often”	Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. IVIn nearly the same words: Merkelbach Chastity and Lust, Q. VII
Marriage, a sacrament given as a remedy: “a special sacrament to be applied as a remedy against venereal concupiscence”	St. Thomas III, q. 65, a. 1, ad 5In nearly the same words: Merkelbach Chastity and Lust, Q. VII
“the increase of charity is the lessening of concupiscence”	St. Thomas III, q. 79, a. 6, ad 3

Where Each Author Treats It

Among the capital sins	Prümmer n. 420; Merkelbach I, n. 505; Wouters nn. 309-312; Marc n. 367; Vermeersch n. 473; Sabetti-Barrett n. 142
Under chastity, against it	St. Thomas II-II, qq. 151-154; Prümmer II, nn. 674-684; Merkelbach II, nn. 994-1004; Noldin De sexto, nn. 1-13; Wouters De castitate, nn. 14-30; McHugh-Callan nn. 2486-2503; Marc nn. 763-770; Vermeersch IV, nn. 20-22; Bontempi On lust; Sabetti-Barrett nn. 279-280