Opposed to Prudence

The Vices Against Prudence

Each vice in the authors' own words, with its kinds and gravity. The arrangement is ours; every reference opens the passage.

A vice with no remedies here has none named for it in the works read. Remedies against sin in general are on the map, and the means of gaining each virtue are on its page.

Imprudence in General

What It Is

As a privation: “Taken as a privation, imprudence denotes lack of that prudence which a man can and ought to have, and in this sense imprudence is a sin by reason of a man's negligence in striving to have prudence”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 36; McHugh-Callan n. 1664; Marc n. 396
As a contrary: “Imprudence is taken as a contrary, in so far as the movement or act of reason is in opposition to prudence”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 36; McHugh-Callan n. 1664; Marc n. 396
In every sin, by participation: “so have all vices and sins a share of imprudence, because no sin can occur, without some defect in an act of the directing reason”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 2In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1665; Merkelbach II, n. 36; Wouters n. 376; Prümmer n. 633; Vermeersch n. 160
Yet a special sin, about the acts of reason: “imprudence is not a general sin, as neither is prudence a general virtue: since it is concerned with special acts, namely the very acts of reason”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 2In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1665; Vermeersch n. 160; Wouters n. 376

What It Is Not

Not the mere absence of prudence: “Properly speaking it is not taken as a negation, so as merely to signify the absence of prudence, for this can be without any sin.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 36; McHugh-Callan n. 1664; Marc n. 396
Not a want of natural gifts: “so from defect of those gifts there results a certain imprudence which is without demerit”Vermeersch n. 160
Not that every sin comes from imprudence: “from this it is not yet licit to conclude that every sin proceeds from imprudence, since several sins proceed from disordered passion, or even from malice”Prümmer n. 633

Its Kinds

Four, by defect: “Vices by defect are called by the common name of imprudence, and they are four: precipitation, inconsideration, inconstancy, and negligence.”Wouters n. 376In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 633; Merkelbach II, n. 35; Noldin n. 264; Marc n. 396; Bontempi On the Vices Contrary to Prudence, n. 2; Vermeersch n. 162; McHugh-Callan n. 1663
One for each act of reason, counsel, judgment and command: “Thus, by defect of "counsel" to which euboulia (deliberating well) corresponds, "precipitation" or "temerity" is a species of imprudence”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 2In nearly the same words: Vermeersch n. 160; Merkelbach II, n. 37
By the kinds of prudence: “By opposition to the diverse species of prudence, it is divided into personal, regnative, political, economic, and military imprudence.”Merkelbach II, n. 37In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 2

Its Gravity

Mortal from contempt of God's law: “if this should happen through aversion from the Divine Law, it will be a mortal sin”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 1In nearly the same words: Marc n. 396; McHugh-Callan n. 1664; Bontempi On negligence, n. 4
Otherwise venial: “whereas if he act beside the Law and without contempt, and without detriment to things necessary for salvation, it will be a venial sin”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 1
Merkelbach, mortal from its genus: “the defect of prudence is not mortal per accidens, but per se and from its genus”Merkelbach II, n. 36In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 36
Prümmer, venial from their kind: “These four sins are venial from their kind; nevertheless they can become mortal on account of circumstances, e.g. of scandal, or of exposing oneself to the danger of grave sin.”Prümmer n. 634
In confession: “they do not form species of sin distinct from the motivating sin if they are all directed to one evil purpose”McHugh-Callan n. 1666In nearly the same words: Vermeersch n. 160; Bontempi On negligence, n. 5

Its Remedies

Penance: “Repentance restores infused prudence, and thus the lack of this prudence ceases”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 1, ad 3
The means of gaining prudence, in Prümmer: “fervent prayer to God, the Father of every light”Prümmer n. 636In nearly the same words: Roman Catechism The Fourth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer: “G
“restraint of disordered passions, and especially of lust”Prümmer n. 636
“Consideration of all events under the aspect of eternity.”Prümmer n. 636In nearly the same words: Spirago The Different Kinds of Christian Virtue
Against the privation, instruction: “one has taken no pains to educate oneself through study, sermons, instructions, etc., so as to be able to act prudently when the occasion arises”McHugh-Callan n. 1664
For a natural defect: “Yet conscious natural defect gives place to moral obligations of attention, precaution, and correction”Vermeersch n. 160

Where It Comes From

The authors trace these to lust.

From lust chiefly: “it follows that they arise chiefly from lust”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 6In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 634; Merkelbach II, n. 38; Wouters n. 376; McHugh-Callan n. 1670; Bontempi On negligence, n. 3
From the other passions too, but less: “Envy and anger cause inconstancy by drawing away the reason to something else; whereas lust causes inconstancy by destroying the judgment of reason entirely.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 6, ad 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 38; McHugh-Callan n. 1670
Bontempi, also from sloth: “although they arise also from other sins, especially Sloth”Bontempi On negligence, n. 3

Precipitation (rashness)

What It Is

“if a man is rushed into action by the impulse of his will or of a passion, without taking these steps, it will be a case of precipitation”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 37; Wouters n. 376; Vermeersch n. 160; Bontempi On precipitation, n. 1; Prümmer n. 634; Noldin n. 264; Marc n. 396; McHugh-Callan n. 1667
The steps of counsel passed over: “the steps that intervene by which one ought to descend in orderly fashion are "memory" of the past, "intelligence" of the present, "shrewdness" in considering the future outcome, "reasoning" which compares one thing with another, "docility" in accepting the opinions of others”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 37; Prümmer n. 634; McHugh-Callan n. 1667; Bontempi On precipitation, n. 1
The name: “Precipitation is ascribed metaphorically to acts of the soul, by way of similitude to bodily movement.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 3In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 634; Bontempi On precipitation, n. 1
Against counsel and eubulia: “Precipitation is opposed to eubulia”Prümmer n. 634In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 37; Wouters n. 376; Bontempi On precipitation, n. 3; St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 2
And against the gift of counsel: “Rectitude of counsel belongs to the gift of counsel and to the virtue of prudence; albeit in different ways, as stated above (II-II:52:2), and consequently precipitation is opposed to both.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 3, ad 1In nearly the same words: Bontempi On precipitation, n. 3

What It Is Not

Not slowness, which is nearer to right counsel: “precipitation is more directly opposed to rectitude of counsel than over slowness is, for the latter bears a certain likeness to right counsel”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 3, ad 3
Not the rashness that is audacity in evil: “But this temerity is not opposed to Prudence, but to Fortitude.”Bontempi On precipitation, n. 3

Its Kinds

From contempt, temerity: “When precipitation arises from contempt of the directing rule, it is called temerity.”Prümmer n. 634In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 37; Bontempi On precipitation, n. 1; McHugh-Callan n. 1667; St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 3, ad 2
From impulse, precipitation simply: “Ordinary precipitancy results from a strong inclination of the will or of the passions”McHugh-Callan n. 1667In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 3, ad 2; Bontempi On precipitation, n. 1

Its Gravity

Mortal from contempt of God's teaching: “it will be a mortal sin, as when a man acts precipitately through contempt and rejection of the Divine teaching”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 1In nearly the same words: Bontempi On precipitation, n. 1
With the others, venial from their kind: “These four sins are venial from their kind; nevertheless they can become mortal on account of circumstances, e.g. of scandal, or of exposing oneself to the danger of grave sin.”Prümmer n. 634
In the law's penalties, rashness means contempt: “that we may know when the penalty of some Law, or Canon, enacted against those doing something rashly, is incurred, namely when it is done from contempt”Bontempi On precipitation, n. 1In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1667

Its Remedies

The gift of counsel, St. Gregory in St. Thomas: “counsel is given as a remedy to precipitation”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 3
Deliberate slowly: “one should be slow in taking counsel”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 3, ad 3In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 634; Deshon Guide, ch. LXXVIII
Take counsel: “My son, do thou nothing without counsel, and thou shall not repent what thou hast done”Spirago The Celebration of MatrimonyIn nearly the same words: Spirago CONFIRMATION; St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VII; Deshon Guide, ch. LXXVIII
Docility to elders: “to heed the counsels of the old”Spirago OUR DUTY TOWARDS OUR PARENTS
Calm: “Excitement creates haste, and hastiness always does harm”Spirago PATIENCEIn nearly the same words: Deshon Guide, ch. VII

A daughter of Lust, whose remedies are given on its page: “when the cause has been removed, the effect also is taken away.”

Where It Comes From

From lust chiefly: “it follows that they arise chiefly from lust”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 6In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 634; Merkelbach II, n. 38; Wouters n. 376; McHugh-Callan n. 1670; Bontempi On negligence, n. 3
Temerity, from pride: “wherefore it appears to proceed from that root of pride, which refuses to submit to another's ruling”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 3, ad 2In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1667
From anger's suddenness: “Anger's movement is sudden, hence it acts with precipitation, and without counsel”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 8, ad 3In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1667

Inconsideration (thoughtlessness)

What It Is

“the lack of right judgment belongs to the vice of thoughtlessness, in so far, to wit, as one fails to judge rightly through contempt or neglect of those things on which a right judgment depends”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 4In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 37; Wouters n. 376; McHugh-Callan n. 1668; Bontempi On inconsideration, n. 1; Prümmer n. 634; Noldin n. 264; Marc n. 396
Against judgment, synesis and gnome: “Therefore inconsideration is opposed to synesis and gnome.”Prümmer n. 634In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 37; Wouters n. 376; Bontempi On inconsideration, n. 1; St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 4, ad 2
Under it, lack of caution and of circumspection: “Thus incautiousness and incircumspection are included in "thoughtlessness"”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 2In nearly the same words: Bontempi On inconsideration, n. 1
With precipitation, or without it: “which always follows from precipitation, but which can also be present without previous precipitation”Prümmer n. 634
Also in passing over the better good: “Nor does culpable Inconsideration intervene only in choosing evil simply; but also in rejecting the greater, or better good”Bontempi On inconsideration, n. 3

What It Is Not

Not trusting God when there is no time to think: “Our Lord did not forbid us to take thought, when we have the opportunity, about what we ought to do or say”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 4, ad 1In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1668
But leaving to God what one could think out is tempting Him: “else if man, instead of doing what he can, were to be content with awaiting God's assistance, he would seem to tempt God”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 4, ad 1In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1668
Not a sudden forgetting: “But often he does not have culpability, if from the sudden presence of some unexpected thing the mind is suddenly snatched into oblivion”Bontempi On inconsideration, n. 2

Its Gravity

Culpable when affected: “hence he has culpability when it arises from that inconsideration which is called affectata”Bontempi On inconsideration, n. 2
With the others, venial from their kind: “These four sins are venial from their kind; nevertheless they can become mortal on account of circumstances, e.g. of scandal, or of exposing oneself to the danger of grave sin.”Prümmer n. 634

Its Remedies

From Proverbs: “Let thy eyes look straight on, and let thine eye-lids go before thy steps.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 4
Understand before answering: “before you give an answer, to understand well the question proposed”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. XXIIIIn nearly the same words: Spirago The Spiritual Works of Mercy

A daughter of Lust, whose remedies are given on its page: “when the cause has been removed, the effect also is taken away.”

Where It Comes From

From lust chiefly: “it follows that they arise chiefly from lust”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 6In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 634; Merkelbach II, n. 38; Wouters n. 376; McHugh-Callan n. 1670; Bontempi On negligence, n. 3
And it grows with the sin it serves: “the more the will succumbs to the appetite of sensible things, the less the Intellect can attend to the due pondering of things”Bontempi On inconsideration, n. 3

Inconstancy

What It Is

“Inconstancy denotes withdrawal from a definite good purpose.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 5In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 634; Merkelbach II, n. 37; Wouters n. 376; Vermeersch n. 160; Bontempi On inconstancy, n. 1; McHugh-Callan n. 1669
For no cause, or a slight one: “because of slight motives, and without any cause or without a just cause, repudiates what it had before rightly dictated”Merkelbach II, n. 37In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 264; Marc n. 396; Bontempi On inconstancy, n. 2
Begun in the appetite: “Now the origin of this withdrawal is in the appetite”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 5In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 634; McHugh-Callan n. 1669
Completed in reason's weakness: “inconstancy, as to its completion, is due to a defect in the reason”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 5In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 39
In command: “inconstancy arises from a defect in the act of command”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 5In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 634; Merkelbach II, n. 37; Wouters n. 376; Bontempi On inconstancy, n. 1

What It Is Not

Not the want of perseverance under fortitude: “perseverance in good belongs to all moral virtues, chiefly, however, to fortitude, which suffers a greater impulse to the contrary”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 5, ad 1
Not negligence: “the inconstant man fails in commanding, being hindered as it were, by something, whereas the negligent man fails through lack of a prompt will”St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 2, ad 3In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 634; Merkelbach II, n. 40; McHugh-Callan n. 1672

Its Kinds

St. Bonaventure's three degrees, in Bontempi: “The first is, when someone is stricken from what he has begun by the praise, or indeed the blame of good men: The second, when someone is easily seduced by the praise or adulation of Players, or of evil men: The third is when someone is moved from a good purpose by mockery, or by any other light cause”Bontempi On inconstancy, n. 4
Incontinence and effeminacy, its kin: “From inconstancy result incontinence (i.e., instability in the face of pleasure) and effeminacy (i.e., instability in the face of sadness).”McHugh-Callan n. 1669In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 5, ad 3

Its Gravity

With the others, venial from their kind: “These four sins are venial from their kind; nevertheless they can become mortal on account of circumstances, e.g. of scandal, or of exposing oneself to the danger of grave sin.”Prümmer n. 634

Its Remedies

Job's example, in Bontempi: “The justification which I began to hold, I will not abandon”Bontempi On inconstancy, n. 4

A daughter of Lust, whose remedies are given on its page: “when the cause has been removed, the effect also is taken away.”

Where It Comes From

From envy and anger: “Envy and anger, which are the source of contention, cause inconstancy on the part of the appetite”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 5, ad 2In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1669; McHugh-Callan n. 1670
From lust, most of all: “lust causes inconstancy by destroying the judgment of reason entirely”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 6, ad 1In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 634; Merkelbach II, n. 38
Double-mindedness: “Duplicity also is something resulting from lust, just as inconstancy is, if by duplicity we understand fluctuation of the mind from one thing to another.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 53, a. 6, ad 2
The Catechism, contempt of God's inspirations: “What then is the cause of this misery and inconstancy? Manifestly a contempt of the divine inspirations.”Roman Catechism The Second Petition of the Lord’s Prayer: “T

Negligence

What It Is

“Negligence denotes lack of due solicitude.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 1In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 634; Merkelbach II, n. 39; Wouters n. 376; Vermeersch n. 160; McHugh-Callan n. 1671; Bontempi On negligence, n. 1; Marc n. 396
Noldin, of the execution: “by which a matter deliberated and determined is not committed to execution at the opportune time”Noldin n. 264
The name, Isidore in St. Thomas: “a negligent man is one who fails to choose [nec eligens]”St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 2
In command: “Negligence regards the act of command, which solicitude also regards.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 2, ad 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 39; Prümmer n. 634
A special sin, though found in all: “it follows that negligence, which denotes lack of solicitude, is a special sin”St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 1In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1671; Prümmer n. 634
Its matter, a good to be done: “Properly speaking the matter of negligence is a good that one ought to do”St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 1, ad 3In nearly the same words: Bontempi On negligence, n. 1; McHugh-Callan n. 1671

What It Is Not

Not the omission, which opposes the virtue concerned: “generally for the omission of any due act, and thus it is not opposed to prudence, but to the virtue in whose matter it is concerned”Prümmer n. 634In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 39; St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 2, ad 2; McHugh-Callan n. 1672
Not laziness, which is in the execution: “Negligence is a defect in the internal act, to which choice also belongs: whereas idleness and laziness denote slowness of execution”St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 2, ad 1In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 634; Merkelbach II, n. 40; McHugh-Callan n. 1672; Bontempi On negligence, n. 5
Not inconstancy: “the inconstant man fails in commanding, being hindered as it were, by something, whereas the negligent man fails through lack of a prompt will”St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 2, ad 3In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 634; Merkelbach II, n. 40; McHugh-Callan n. 1672
Not opposed to fear, which helps against it: “fear makes us avoid negligence, yet not as though negligence were directly opposed to fear”St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 2, ad 4

Its Gravity

Mortal, from what is omitted: “First on the part of that which is omitted through negligence. If this be either an act or a circumstance necessary for salvation, it will be a mortal sin.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 39; McHugh-Callan n. 1673; Bontempi On negligence, n. 4
Mortal, from its cause: “Secondly on the part of the cause: for if the will be so remiss about Divine things, as to fall away altogether from the charity of God, such negligence is a mortal sin”St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 39; McHugh-Callan n. 1673; Bontempi On negligence, n. 4
Otherwise venial: “it is not a mortal but a venial sin, provided the negligence arise, not from contempt, but from some lack of fervor”St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 39; McHugh-Callan n. 1673; Bontempi On negligence, n. 4
Merkelbach, mortal per se and not per accidens: “negligence is always considered with the omitted work, and thus it is considered according to itself”Merkelbach II, n. 36
Prümmer, venial from its kind: “These four sins are venial from their kind; nevertheless they can become mortal on account of circumstances, e.g. of scandal, or of exposing oneself to the danger of grave sin.”Prümmer n. 634
In confession: “But if, from negligence of grave examination, you omit a mortal thing, it will have to be said”Bontempi On negligence, n. 2In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 3, ad 3

Its Remedies

The fear of God: “Hence fear makes us avoid negligence”St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 2, ad 4
Confessing one's negligences: “they who wish to preserve fervor should often purify their souls by accusing themselves in confession of all their defects, and all their negligence in his service”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. XVIII
In one's duties: “Determine to watch over and correct faults of neglect, wastefulness, and carelessness in performing your duty.”Deshon Guide, ch. XXXV

Where It Comes From

From remissness of the will: “negligence arises out of a certain remissness of the will”St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 40; Vermeersch n. 160
From want of fervor: “Man may be said to love God less in two ways. First through lack of the fervor of charity, and this causes the negligence that is a venial sin”St. Thomas II-II, q. 54, a. 3, ad 1
Bontempi, with the other three, from lust and from sloth: “these sins, since they are of reason, arise especially from Lust”Bontempi On negligence, n. 3In nearly the same words: Bontempi On negligence, n. 3

Prudence of the Flesh

What It Is

“prudence of the flesh signifies properly the prudence of a man who looks upon carnal goods as the last end of his life”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 1In nearly the same words: Wouters n. 376; Prümmer n. 635; McHugh-Callan n. 1675
Means for an evil end: “it devises and dictates suitable means to an evil end”Merkelbach II, n. 42In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 635; Noldin n. 264; Marc n. 397; Bontempi On the prudence of the flesh, n. 2; Vermeersch n. 162
With the others that counterfeit prudence, by excess: “False prudence is a sin opposed to prudence by excess.”Merkelbach II, n. 41In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 635; Noldin n. 264; Wouters n. 376; Marc n. 397; McHugh-Callan n. 1663; Bontempi On the Vices Contrary to Prudence, n. 3; Vermeersch n. 162
Why prudence can be named in a bad sense: “although prudence is taken simply in a good sense, yet, if something be added, it may be taken in a bad sense”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 1, ad 1
False in practice, not always in reasoning: “But it is practically false, because it is the cause of evil election”Merkelbach II, n. 42

What It Is Not

Not care of the body for a good end: “But if a man actually refers the care of the flesh to a good end, as when one is careful about one's food in order to sustain one's body, this is no longer prudence of the flesh”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 2In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1676; St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VII
Not a sin against the Holy Spirit: “Prudence of the flesh does not imply a sin against the Holy Ghost.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 2, ad 2
Not a sin apart from the evil work, unless willed for itself: “hence it is not a sin distinct from the evil work itself, unless it is directly and in itself voluntary”Merkelbach II, n. 42In nearly the same words: Bontempi On the prudence of the flesh, n. 4

Its Kinds

Threefold: “we may distinguish a threefold prudence corresponding to the three kinds of temptation”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 1, ad 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 42; McHugh-Callan n. 1675; Marc n. 397
Of the flesh, or of the world: “Hence we speak of "carnal" and again of "worldly" prudence”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 1, ad 3In nearly the same words: Wouters n. 376; McHugh-Callan n. 1675

Its Gravity

Mortal, with an evil last end: “if prudence of the flesh be taken as corresponding to prudence in its absolute signification, so that a man place the last end of his whole life in the care of the flesh, it is a mortal sin”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 42; Bontempi On the prudence of the flesh, n. 2; McHugh-Callan n. 1676
Venial, with a particular end: “If, on the other hand, prudence of the flesh be taken as corresponding to particular prudence, it is a venial sin.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 42; McHugh-Callan n. 1676
Marc: “This prudence is of itself mortal”Marc n. 397

Its Remedies

Against an earthly end, eternity: “Consideration of all events under the aspect of eternity.”Prümmer n. 636In nearly the same words: Spirago The Different Kinds of Christian Virtue; Deshon Guide, ch. VI
The flesh ordered to the soul: “the flesh is loved lawfully, if it be directed to the good of the soul as its end”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 1, ad 2

Where It Comes From

The false likenesses of prudence come from covetousness.

From covetousness: “the aforesaid vices arise chiefly from covetousness”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 8In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 45; Prümmer n. 635; Wouters n. 376; McHugh-Callan n. 1686
Not directly from lust, which suppresses reason: “these vices do not arise directly from lust”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 8, ad 1In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1686
Nor from pride, which acts openly: “do not arise directly from pride, but rather from covetousness, which seeks its own profit and sets little by excellence”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 8, ad 2In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1686

Craftiness, Guile and Fraud

What It Is

“when, in order to obtain a certain end, whether good or evil, a man uses means that are not true but fictitious and counterfeit, and this belongs to the sin of craftiness”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 43; Wouters n. 376; Bontempi On cunning, n. 1; Noldin n. 264; Marc n. 397; Prümmer n. 635; McHugh-Callan n. 1677; Vermeersch n. 162
A sin even for a good end: “Hence craftiness is a sin if it be directed to a good end.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 3, ad 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 43; Prümmer n. 635; McHugh-Callan n. 1679
Guile and fraud carry it out: “Hence guile denotes a certain execution of craftiness, and accordingly belongs thereto.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 4In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 43; Prümmer n. 635; Wouters n. 376; Bontempi On guile, n. 2; McHugh-Callan n. 1677
Guile by words or deeds, fraud by deeds: “whereas "fraud" belongs more properly to the execution of craftiness by deeds”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 5In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 635; Wouters n. 376; Bontempi On fraud, n. 4
Guile by words, fraud by deeds: “deceit principally through false words, which hold the principal place among signs; fraud through false deeds”Merkelbach II, n. 43In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 264; McHugh-Callan n. 1678; St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 4, ad 2
Fraud, St. Bonaventure in Bontempi: “It is a will deceiving the expectation of one's neighbor for earthly gain.”Bontempi On fraud, n. 1
Against simplicity: “it is opposed to Christian simplicity and is often nothing else than a practical and pernicious lie”Prümmer n. 635

What It Is Not

In a good sense, improperly: “just as prudence is sometimes improperly taken in a bad sense, so is craftiness sometimes taken in a good sense”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 3, ad 1In nearly the same words: Bontempi On cunning, n. 1
Not open violence: “it happens sometimes that evil is done openly and by violence without craftiness and guile”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 4, ad 3
As injustice, fraud belongs to other vices also: “The execution of craftiness may be carried out by another vice, just as the execution of prudence by the virtues: and accordingly nothing hinders fraud from pertaining to covetousness or illiberality.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 5, ad 2In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 56, a. 2

Its Gravity

“mortal if it proceeds from a mortally evil affection, or inflicts grave harm”Merkelbach II, n. 43In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1680; Bontempi On fraud, n. 3
By the means: “on account of the object the sin is grave when the means chosen are very bad (e.g., serious calumnies), venial when the means are slightly evil (e.g., lies about unimportant matters)”McHugh-Callan n. 1680
By the end: “on account of the end the sin is mortal when one intends to perpetrate a serious offense (e.g., clever ruses to get into a house in order to rob it), venial when the purpose is not so bad”McHugh-Callan n. 1680

Its Remedies

Simplicity and candor: “It is therefore our wisest course to be candid and truthful.”Spirago What are the Reasons that should make us RefIn nearly the same words: Bontempi On the precepts of prudence, n. 4; Deshon Guide, ch. XXXV
Trust in God, not in artifice: “trust in God, not in the artifice of lying”Roman Catechism The Eighth Commandment
St. Paul's rule: “We renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 3In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1679
When defrauded: “to bear patiently the effect of being deceived, and to endure wrongs inflicted on them by fraud”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 5, ad 1

A daughter of Covetousness, whose remedies are given on its page: “when the cause has been removed, the effect also is taken away.”

Where It Comes From

From covetousness: “Gregory (Moral. xxxi, 45) states that fraud is a daughter of covetousness”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 8In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 45; Prümmer n. 635; McHugh-Callan n. 1686
Stratagem, a mark of smallness of soul: “To do anything by stratagem seems to be due to pusillanimity: because a magnanimous man wishes to act openly”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 8, ad 2
From love of self, St. Gregory in Bontempi: “Craftiness is caused by greater love of self”Bontempi On cunning, n. 2
Plots against life, from hatred: “That men use stratagems in plotting murders, arises not from anger but rather from hatred”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 8, ad 3

Excessive Solicitude

What It Is

Solicitude itself: “Solicitude denotes an earnest endeavor to obtain something.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 6In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 635
Of temporal things: “an excessive occupation of the mind in acquiring or conserving temporal things”Merkelbach II, n. 44In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 264; McHugh-Callan n. 1681; Bontempi On solicitude for temporal things, n. 1
Of the future: “an excessive occupation of the mind concerning future things, especially things necessary for life, with anxiety and little confidence in divine providence”Merkelbach II, n. 44In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 264
Before its time: “For every time has its own fitting proper solicitude”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 7In nearly the same words: Wouters n. 376; Merkelbach II, n. 44; McHugh-Callan n. 1684
Forbidden by Our Lord: “Our Lord condemns solicitude”McHugh-Callan n. 1681In nearly the same words: Bontempi On solicitude for temporal things, n. 1

What It Is Not

Not moderate care, which is a duty: “The solicitude of a man who gains his bread by bodily labor is not superfluous but proportionate”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 6, ad 2In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1683; Prümmer n. 635; Marc n. 397; Bontempi On solicitude for the future, n. 2
Nor care for the poor and for souls: “In the works of mercy solicitude about temporal things is directed to charity as its end, wherefore it is not unlawful, unless it be superfluous.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 6, ad 3In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1683
Not due foresight: “Due foresight of the future belongs to prudence.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 7, ad 2In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1685
Nor provision for need: “Our Lord does not condemn those who according to human custom, provide themselves with such things, but those who oppose themselves to God for the sake of these things”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 7, ad 3In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1685

Its Kinds

Temporal things sought as an end: “First on the part of the object of solicitude; that is, if we seek temporal things as an end.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 6In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 635; Merkelbach II, n. 44; Wouters n. 376; McHugh-Callan n. 1682; Bontempi On solicitude for temporal things, n. 1
Too much effort: “Secondly, solicitude about temporal things may be unlawful, through too much earnestness in endeavoring to obtain temporal things, the result being that a man is drawn away from spiritual things”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 6In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 635; Merkelbach II, n. 44; Wouters n. 376; McHugh-Callan n. 1682
Too much fear: “Thirdly, through over much fear, when, to wit, a man fears to lack necessary things if he do what he ought to do.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 6In nearly the same words: Prümmer n. 635; Merkelbach II, n. 44; Wouters n. 376; McHugh-Callan n. 1682; Bontempi On solicitude for temporal things, n. 1
Forebodings: “Those who willingly occupy and disquiet themselves with forebodings of dire calamities that are uncertain (e.g., the imminent destruction of the world) or of evils that cannot be prevented (e.g., their death), are also guilty of sinful solicitude.”McHugh-Callan n. 1684
St. Bonaventure's three, in Bontempi: “The first is great anxiety for acquiring temporal things, whether the effect follows or not; and this is found both in those who possess much and those who possess little: The second is great tenacity in retaining, which allows nothing to be spent on pious causes or the relief of the poor: The third, finally, is a burning thirst for amassing worldly riches from every quarter, whether by fair means or foul.”Bontempi On solicitude for temporal things, n. 2

Its Gravity

Mortal, with temporal things as the last end: “if we seek temporal things as the ultimate end, by preferring them to spiritual things, which is mortal”Merkelbach II, n. 44
Too much effort, by what it keeps one from: “this is mortal if it withdraws from spiritual things prescribed under grave obligation; otherwise it is venial”Merkelbach II, n. 44
Too much fear, venial: “this is venial, unless per accidens it were the effect or cause of mortal sin”Merkelbach II, n. 44
Marc: “because it imports distrust in the providence of God, and is a grave or venial sin according to the gravity of the matter”Marc n. 397
By state of life, in Bontempi: “In Religious, though small, this withdraws from perfection; in a Father of a family, when moderate, it is laudable; in anyone, however, when immoderate, it is culpable”Bontempi On solicitude for the future, n. 2

Its Remedies

Our Lord's first motive, the body and soul He gave: “on account of the yet greater favors bestowed by God on man, independently of his solicitude, viz. his body and soul”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 6In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1681
The second, the birds and the lilies: “on account of the care with which God watches over animals and plants without the assistance of man”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 6In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1681; Spirago DIVINE PROVIDENCE; Bontempi On solicitude for the future, n. 2
Seek first the spiritual: “Consequently He concludes that we should be solicitous most of all about spiritual goods, hoping that temporal goods also may be granted us according to our needs, if we do what we ought to do.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 6In nearly the same words: Spirago IX. THE LOVE OF ONE’S SELF
Cast your care upon God: “St. Peter exhorts us to cast all our care upon God, for He cares for us”Spirago DIVINE PROVIDENCEIn nearly the same words: Bontempi On solicitude for the future, n. 3
Work without worry, St. Jerome: “labor is necessary, but solicitude must be banished”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 6, ad 2In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1683; St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. XVI
One day at a time: “the morrow will have its own solicitude, which will be burden enough for the soul”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 7In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 1681
For those who keep the goods of a house: “Be careful also not to omit your devotions, nor to live like a secular, through an excessive solicitude to save for the monastery.”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. XXIII

Where It Comes From

From covetousness: “Thus, for example, excessive solicitude arises from the inordinate love of having or fear of losing.”Merkelbach II, n. 45In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 8; Prümmer n. 635
Distrust of Providence: “because of Divine providence, through ignorance of which the gentiles are solicitous in seeking temporal goods before all others”St. Thomas II-II, q. 55, a. 6In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 44; McHugh-Callan n. 1681; Marc n. 397; Bontempi On solicitude for the future, n. 3