Morals of the Church
Virtues and Vices › Temperance › The Vices Against It

Opposed to Temperance

The Vices Against Temperance

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

Gluttony, lust, anger and pride are capital vices with pages of their own: gluttony, lust, anger, pride. The species of lust are set out on Temperance.

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.

Insensibility (stupor)

What It Is

Insensibility: “Insensibility is a very rare vice which turns away from pleasures of touch in an undue way, so that one does not will to use them when, where, how, how much, etc., right reason dictates they are to be used.”Merkelbach II, n. 941In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 1; Noldin n. 284; Wouters n. 434; Vermeersch n. 722; McHugh-Callan n. 2464; Bontempi Which vices are contrary to temper, n. 1
Very rare: “A most rare vice.”Noldin n. 284In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 941; McHugh-Callan n. 2464

What It Is Not

Not abstaining for health, penance or contemplation: “Nor do any of these things pertain to the vice of insensibility, because they are in accord with right reason.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 941; McHugh-Callan n. 2464
Fitting to some states more than others: “Wherefore it is commendable for those who undertake the duty of giving themselves to contemplation, and of imparting to others a spiritual good, by a kind of spiritual procreation, as it were, to abstain from many pleasures, but not for those who are in duty bound to bodily occupations and carnal procreation.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 1, ad 2
Not abstinence from a horror of pleasure as evil: “Daniel abstained thus from pleasures, not through any horror of pleasure as though it were evil in itself, but for some praiseworthy end”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 1, ad 1In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2464

Its Gravity

Against nature's order: “It is a sin and vice, because it is contrary to the natural order and to the Creator, who set pleasures upon actions necessary for the life of man”Merkelbach II, n. 941In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 1
Venial of itself, mortal by what it omits: “Of itself it is venial; but mortal if from it someone omits something to which he is held under mortal sin, such as to render the conjugal debt, to take food necessary for life, etc.”Merkelbach II, n. 941In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2464; McHugh-Callan n. 2464
Abstinence too has its measure: “but according to right reason and without excess, so that it does not harm the fulfillment of duties”Merkelbach II, n. 941
Less grave than intemperance: “Intemperance is a graver sin than timidity, because it is more voluntary (a. 3), or than insensibility, because it recedes more from temperance.”Merkelbach II, n. 943

Its Remedies

Pleasure to be used as need requires: “In order to avoid sin, pleasure must be shunned, not altogether, but so that it is not sought more than necessity requires.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 1, ad 3
The body sustained for reason's sake: “man needs to sustain his body in order that he may use his reason”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 1, ad 2

Intemperance

What It Is

Intemperance: “Intemperance is a vice by which someone seeks pleasures of touch in an undue way and beyond measure, namely, where, when, how, etc., right reason does not dictate or more than it dictates”Merkelbach II, n. 942In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 284; Wouters n. 434; Vermeersch n. 722; McHugh-Callan n. 2464; Bontempi Which vices are contrary to temper, n. 3
A childish sin: “For the sin of intemperance is one of unchecked concupiscence, which is likened to a child in three ways.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 2In nearly the same words: Bontempi Which vices are contrary to temper, n. 4; McHugh-Callan n. 2464

Its Kinds

Gluttony, drunkenness, lust: “but it is specially named gluttony when the appetite of food and drink is served too much”Vermeersch n. 722In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2464; Bontempi On the Vices Opposed to the Virtue, n. 1
Most often in refinements of desire: “There are other things in respect of which sins frequently occur, and these are certain incentives to desire devised by human curiosity”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 2, ad 2
Vices beyond the human mode: “Nevertheless such vices are apparently reducible to the genus of intemperance, by way of excess”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 4, ad 3In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2464

Its Gravity

Against the mean of reason: “It is a sin, because it is opposed to virtue, insofar as it exceeds the mean of reason which temperance establishes in pleasures.”Merkelbach II, n. 942
Acting for pleasure alone: “negatively: to act for pleasure and delight alone exclusively, or principally on account of it, not on account of the honest good”Merkelbach II, n. 938In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 644
The most disgraceful: “Accordingly intemperance is most disgraceful for two reasons.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 4In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 942; McHugh-Callan n. 2464; Bontempi Which vices are contrary to temper, n. 5
More shameful, though less culpable: “which are comprised under the head of intemperance, although less culpable, are more disgraceful”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 4, ad 1
Graver than cowardice: “and in both ways intemperance is a more grievous sin than cowardice”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 943; McHugh-Callan n. 2464

Its Remedies

Not dwelling on the particular pleasure: “Hence the most effective remedy against intemperance is not to dwell on the consideration of singulars.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 3
Restraint, as a child is corrected: “For a child is corrected by being restrained”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 2In nearly the same words: Bontempi Which vices are contrary to temper, n. 4
Lifting the mind to spiritual things: “if the mind be lifted up to spiritual things, and remain fixed”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 2
Practice: “it is possible for man without danger by frequent practice in their regard to become temperate”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 3

Where It Comes From

Indulged, it grows: “So, too, concupiscence, if indulged, gathers strength”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 2In nearly the same words: Bontempi Which vices are contrary to temper, n. 4
Through single pleasures: “For no one would wish to be intemperate, yet man is enticed by individual pleasures which make of him an intemperate man.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 142, a. 3

Drunkenness

What It Is

The state, which is no sin: “First, it may signify the defect itself of a man resulting from his drinking much wine, the consequence being that he loses the use of reason. On this sense drunkenness denotes not a sin, but a penal defect resulting from a fault.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 1In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 669; Merkelbach II, n. 985; Noldin n. 341; McHugh-Callan n. 2476
The sin: “a voluntary excess in intoxicating drink, for the sake of pleasure”Merkelbach II, n. 985In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 1; Prümmer II, n. 669; Noldin n. 341; Marc n. 757; Sabetti-Barrett n. 147; McHugh-Callan n. 2476; Wouters n. 320; Bontempi On drunkenness, n. 1
Violent, not as sleep is: “Violent: for the use of reason is interrupted in a natural manner by sleep and in a violent manner by excessive drink”Noldin n. 341In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 985; Wouters n. 320; Vermeersch n. 477
A species of gluttony: “and is comprised under gluttony as a species under its genus”St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 1In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 669; Wouters n. 318
Against sobriety: “The sin of deficiency against sobriety is drunkenness”McHugh-Callan n. 2476In nearly the same words: Wouters n. 440; Prümmer II, n. 668

What It Is Not

Not unforeseen drunkenness: “On one way, through the wine being too strong, without the drinker being cognizant of this: and in this way too, drunkenness may occur without sin”St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 1In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 669; Merkelbach II, n. 985; McHugh-Callan n. 2477; Bontempi On drunkenness, n. 8
Not drinking for health: “when a man eats or drinks much at the physician's advice in order to provoke vomiting”St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 2, ad 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 985; Noldin n. 342; Sabetti-Barrett n. 149; McHugh-Callan n. 2477; Vermeersch n. 477; Wouters n. 320; Bontempi On drunkenness, n. 10
Not drinking to cheerfulness: “To drive away sadness or melancholy it would be licit to drink only up to cheerfulness”Merkelbach II, n. 990In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 670; Vermeersch n. 480
Save in clerics and fathers: “But clerics, fathers of families, and persons established in dignity ought also to avoid cheerfulness.”Merkelbach II, n. 990In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 670
Not all drinking: “there is no obligation of abstaining from every or any kind of intoxicating beverage”McHugh-Callan n. 2478
Not every unsteadiness: “For commonly they think, by a false opinion, that grave sin is present if wine has provoked him to vomiting.”Noldin n. 343In nearly the same words: Vermeersch n. 481

Its Kinds

Perfect and imperfect: “Drunkenness is called perfect if it entirely takes away the use of reason, and is called imperfect if it does not entirely take away the use of reason.”Noldin n. 341In nearly the same words: Wouters n. 320; Marc n. 757; Sabetti-Barrett n. 147; McHugh-Callan n. 2479; Prümmer II, n. 670; Bontempi On drunkenness, n. 5
Its sign, no longer telling good from evil: “the certain sign of perfect drunkenness: 1) if someone by reason no longer discerns between moral good and evil”Merkelbach II, n. 988In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 341; Marc n. 757; McHugh-Callan n. 2479; Vermeersch n. 481
Wouters, direct and indirect: “Into direct and indirect. It is direct when the intoxicating act, insofar as it is such, is intended as an end or is assumed as a means by which another end is obtained.”Wouters n. 320
Narcotics, by the same rules: “What is said concerning the use of inebriating liquid must be affirmed in the same way concerning the use of opium, ether, chloroform, and similar things”Noldin n. 342In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2485; Prümmer II, n. 672; Merkelbach II, n. 989

Its Gravity

Perfect drunkenness, mortal: “Therefore drunkenness, properly speaking, is a mortal sin.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 2In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 670; Merkelbach II, n. 986; Noldin n. 343; Marc n. 758; Sabetti-Barrett n. 148; McHugh-Callan n. 2480; Wouters n. 320; Vermeersch n. 477; Bontempi On drunkenness, n. 2
For it throws away reason and risks every sin: “because then a man willingly and knowingly deprives himself of the use of reason, whereby he performs virtuous deeds and avoids sin, and thus he sins mortally by running the risk of falling into sin”St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 986; Prümmer II, n. 670; Bontempi On drunkenness, n. 4
For some, not mortal if brief: “Even perfect drunkenness admits smallness of matter: if therefore someone without necessity deprives himself of the use of reason for a brief time, which does not reach an hour, he does not commit a grave sin.”Noldin n. 343In nearly the same words: Marc n. 758; Wouters n. 320; Merkelbach II, n. 986
Rejected by others: “and therefore we do not admit the opinion defended by Lacroix, Noldin, and others, who say that even complete drunkenness is not a mortal sin unless it is prolonged beyond an hour”Prümmer II, n. 670In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2480
Imperfect, venial: “Imperfect drunkenness is of itself only a venial sin.”Prümmer II, n. 670In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 2; Noldin n. 343; Marc n. 758; Sabetti-Barrett n. 148; McHugh-Callan n. 2480; Wouters n. 320; Vermeersch n. 480; Bontempi On drunkenness, n. 5
Grave by scandal, harm or end: “but accidentally it can become grave: a. by reason of scandal, which, for example, a priest would give, even only once, or a father of a family, if he were more often half-drunk”Noldin n. 343In nearly the same words: Marc n. 758; Wouters n. 320; Merkelbach II, n. 991
The habitual drinker: “Assiduity makes drunkenness a mortal sin, not on account of the mere repetition of the act, but because it is impossible for a man to become drunk assiduously, without exposing himself to drunkenness knowingly and willingly”St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 2, ad 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 990; Vermeersch n. 482; Noldin n. 348
Not the gravest: “Wherefore the sins that are directly against God are graver than the sin of drunkenness, which is directly opposed to the good of human reason.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 987; McHugh-Callan n. 2481
Sins done drunk, imputed as foreseen: “If, however, the preceding act was sinful, the person is not altogether excused from the subsequent sin, because the latter is rendered voluntary through the voluntariness of the preceding act”St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 4In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 991; Prümmer II, n. 671; McHugh-Callan n. 2482; Marc n. 759; Vermeersch n. 483; Bontempi On drunkenness, n. 13
Leading others to drink: “Therefore without doubt it is a grave sin to induce others to drunkenness”Noldin n. 343In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 671; Marc n. 758; McHugh-Callan n. 2483; Merkelbach II, n. 993; St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 1, ad 3; Bontempi On drunkenness, n. 15
Giving drink to children: “Frequently to offer or permit alcoholic drinks to infants and to those before puberty cannot be excused from grave fault.”Noldin n. 348In nearly the same words: Sabetti-Barrett n. 149

Its Remedies

The first heading is Sabetti-Barrett's “Personal remedies” (n. 150); the second gathers what Noldin sets down as “The things which pastors of souls can contribute” (n. 347) and the remedies Prümmer says “Every priest is bound” to spread (II, n. 673).

Personal remedies
Fleeing occasions: “Personal remedies: for all to avoid the occasions of this sin and those persons and assemblies by whom temperance is violated”Sabetti-Barrett n. 150In nearly the same words: Wouters n. 322
Considering its effects: “Consider its very evil effects.”Wouters n. 322In nearly the same words: Sabetti-Barrett n. 150
Exercising sobriety: “Exercise sobriety, even by sometimes withdrawing from the appetite things which are licit.”Wouters n. 322In nearly the same words: Sabetti-Barrett n. 150
Prayer and the practice of religion: “finally by petition of divine aid”Sabetti-Barrett n. 150In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 673
For the habitual drunkard, total abstinence: “Let habitual drunkards be required to abstain entirely from intoxicating liquor, because moderate use is morally impossible for them.”Wouters n. 322In nearly the same words: Vermeersch n. 484; Marc n. 760
The pledge: “Although a promise of this kind is good in itself, and, as daily experience establishes, offers an excellent remedy for amending the life of many”Sabetti-Barrett n. 150
Temperance societies: “Especially let heavy drinkers be advised to enroll in a society instituted for promoting sobriety.”Wouters n. 322In nearly the same words: Sabetti-Barrett n. 150; Vermeersch n. 491
As a last resort, a hospital: “then care must be taken that such persons be received into some hospital designated for curing alcoholics”Prümmer II, n. 673In nearly the same words: Vermeersch n. 484
What pastors can do
Instruction: “The first and best remedy is good instruction concerning these evils”Prümmer II, n. 673In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 347
Example: “The second and efficacious remedy is the good example both of parents and especially of priests.”Prümmer II, n. 673In nearly the same words: Vermeersch n. 484
Associations: “The third remedy consists in those Catholic associations of temperance or abstinence”Prümmer II, n. 673In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 347; Marc n. 760
Writings: “To disseminate writings and periodical sheets by which the faithful may be suitably taught concerning these matters and excited to exercising temperance or abstinence.”Noldin n. 347
In confession, insisting: “Let the confessor insist opportunely, let him insist inopportunely, that they become temperate and conquerors of themselves.”Marc n. 760
St. Augustine, by teaching rather than threats: “such things are cured not by bitterness, severity, harshness, but by teaching rather than commanding, by advice rather than threats”St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 1, ad 4
Prudence with the pledge: “Therefore much prudence and discretion is needed in receiving promises of this kind.”Sabetti-Barrett n. 150

Where It Comes From

Pleasures connatural to us: “Man is most prone to sins of intemperance, because such like concupiscences and pleasures are connatural to us”St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 3, ad 1
From gluttony: “From gluttony come drunkenness”Sabetti-Barrett n. 146
What it breeds: “For the things we avoid when sober, we unknowingly commit through drunkenness.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 987; Bontempi On drunkenness, n. 4; McHugh-Callan n. 2481; Noldin n. 347

Excessive Abstinence and Sobriety

What It Is

Excessive abstinence: “by excess there is opposed excessive abstinence, by which someone abstains from their use against right reason”Wouters n. 437In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2466
Excessive sobriety: “by excess, excessive sobriety, by which someone abstains from intoxicating drink against right reason”Wouters n. 440In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2476
Species of insensibility, without a name: “insensibility which is opposed to temperance "is not very common," so that like its species which are opposed to the species of intemperance it has no name. Hence the vice opposed to drunkenness is unnamed”St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 1, ad 1In nearly the same words: Bontempi On drunkenness, n. 16

What It Is Not

Not fasting for its due ends: “fasting is practiced for a threefold purpose”St. Thomas II-II, q. 147, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 950
Not austerity that keeps life and health: “The higher degree practises austerity, taking less than is necessary for the best condition, or strength or comfort of the body, but sufficient for life and health.”McHugh-Callan n. 2467In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 950; Noldin n. 327

Its Kinds

Condemning drink as evil: “It is committed by those who condemn all liking for or enjoyment of intoxicants as intrinsically evil”McHugh-Callan n. 2476
Refusing it when needed: “also by those who deny to themselves or others intoxicants when the use of them is necessary”McHugh-Callan n. 2476

Its Gravity

A sin, when nature is grievously molested: “and yet if a man were knowingly to abstain from wine to the extent of molesting nature grievously, he would not be free from sin”St. Thomas II-II, q. 150, a. 1, ad 1In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 147, a. 1, ad 2
With an evil intention: “if from evil intention someone abstains, for example, so that he may die or become infirm, or be incapable of carrying out due offices, it is an act directly opposed to the virtue of temperance, and gravely so whenever notable harm or incapacity for a grave office is intended”Merkelbach II, n. 950
From singularity or vainglory: “likewise, if it is done from an intention of singularity, vainglory or boasting, it will be a venial sin”Merkelbach II, n. 950In nearly the same words: St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VIII
Even from a good motive, if it unfits for duty: “if it is done not from an evil intention but from a motive of virtue, yet in such a way that someone renders himself incapable of due works, it will again be a grave or light sin as was said”Merkelbach II, n. 950In nearly the same words: St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VIII
To the ruin of life: “those who abstain from taking necessary foods, even for an excellent end”Merkelbach II, n. 353In nearly the same words: Wouters n. 524

Its Remedies

Discretion: “Discretion is necessary in all things.”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VIII
A director's advice: “But the most secure means of removing all doubts and scruples with regard to fasts and abstinence is to follow the advice of your director.”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VIIIIn nearly the same words: St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VIII
Steady moderation: “continual moderation is better than fits of violent abstinence interspersed with occasional excesses”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VIIIIn nearly the same words: St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VIII
Regard for others, one's state and health: “It makes no difference whatever to virtue what or how much food a man takes, so long as he does it with due regard for the people among whom he lives, for his own person, and for the requirements of his health”St. Thomas II-II, q. 146, a. 1, ad 2

Where It Comes From

The indiscreet fervor of beginners: “Transported with a certain fervor, by which the Almighty animates their zeal for virtue, beginners are often very indiscreet in their fasts and other works of penance.”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VIII
Yet rarer than its opposite: “the spirit seldom deceives us by suggesting excessive mortifications; while the flesh, under false pretences, frequently claims commiseration”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VIIIIn nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2464

Incontinence

What It Is

Against continence, in the soul: “Incontinence is opposed to continence and therefore pertains more to the soul than to the body.”Merkelbach II, n. 1031In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 1; McHugh-Callan n. 2544; Bontempi On incontinence, n. 1
Seeing the better, following the worse: “it sees and approves the higher things, but it follows the lower”McHugh-Callan n. 2544
The continence it fails of: “a disposition of the will by which evil and vehement concupiscences concerning touch are resisted”Prümmer II, n. 708In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1029; McHugh-Callan n. 2544
The passion only its occasion: “Yet these passions, however vehement they be, are not the sufficient cause of incontinence, but are merely the occasion thereof, since, so long as the use of reason remains, man is always able to resist his passions.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1031

What It Is Not

Not where reason is lost: “If, however, the passions gain such strength as to take away the use of reason altogether—as in the case of those who become insane through the vehemence of their passions—the essential conditions of continence or incontinence cease”St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 1
Not being wholly led by good desire: “Such like incontinence is no sin, but pertains to the perfection of virtue.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1031
Falls from a renounced habit, incontinence rather than intemperance: “He who has efficaciously retracted a vicious habit, for example of intemperance, but has not yet extirpated it, is not simply intemperate”Merkelbach II, n. 1032

Its Kinds

Impetuosity: “first, when the soul yields to the passions, before the reason has given its counsel; and this is called "unbridled incontinence" or "impetuosity"”St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1031
Weakness: “secondly, when a man does not stand to what has been counselled, through holding weakly to reason's judgment; wherefore this kind of incontinence is called "weakness."”St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1031
Simply about touch; in a respect, about honor and riches: “for instance when a man does not observe the mode of reason in his desire for honor, riches, and so forth”St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1031; Prümmer II, n. 708

Its Gravity

A sin twice over: “On this way incontinence is a sin for two reasons: first, because the incontinent man goes astray from that which is in accord with reason; secondly, because he plunges into shameful pleasures.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1031
Through negligence, not necessity: “The judgment of reason is overcome in the incontinent man, not necessarily, for then he would commit no sin, but through a certain negligence”St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 2, ad 2
Less grave than intemperance: “Hence it follows that "the intemperate man is much worse than the incontinent,"”St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1032; McHugh-Callan n. 2544; Bontempi On incontinence, n. 2
Of desire, more shameful than of anger: “In this way incontinence of desire is worse than incontinence of anger, because the movement of desire is more inordinate than the movement of anger.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 4In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1032; McHugh-Callan n. 2544; Bontempi On incontinence, n. 3
Of anger, graver by its effects: “and thus incontinence of anger is, for the most part, more grievous, because it leads to things that are harmful to one's neighbor”St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 4In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1032; McHugh-Callan n. 2544

Its Remedies

Grace, with admonition: “Mere knowledge does not suffice to cure the incontinent man, for he needs the inward assistance of grace which quenches concupiscence, besides the application of the external remedy of admonishment and correction, which induce him to begin to resist his desires”St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 3In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 2, ad 1
His quick repentance: “the incontinent man repents at once, as soon as the passion has passed”St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1032; McHugh-Callan n. 2544
Unwearied vigilance: “yet, it is harder to be unconquered by pleasure, because it lays persistent siege to the soul and demands a more unwearied vigilance”McHugh-Callan n. 2544In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 4, ad 1
More easily healed than intemperance: “but the inclination of the incontinent man is from passion, which can more easily be repressed”Merkelbach II, n. 1032

Where It Comes From

Occasioned by the body's disposition: “since it is owing to a bodily disposition that vehement passions can arise in the sensitive appetite”St. Thomas II-II, q. 156, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1031
St. Bonaventure, in another sense, a daughter of vainglory: “D. Bonaventure, p. p. Centil. sect. 18, makes incontinence a daughter of vainglory, and describes it thus: Incontinence is the will, by conforming itself, desiring to be praised by those who are evil.”Bontempi On incontinence, n. 3

Lack of Anger (sluggishness)

What It Is

Lack of anger: “lack of anger, by which someone does not stir up anger which he needs for fulfilling an office of justice or charity to which he is bound, for example, to correct, chastise, beat back the contumacious”Merkelbach II, n. 1036In nearly the same words: Wouters n. 449; Prümmer II, n. 709; Noldin n. 285; McHugh-Callan n. 2550
Lacking the will to punish: “On one way, as a simple movement of the will, whereby one inflicts punishment, not through passion, but in virtue of a judgment of the reason: and thus without doubt lack of anger is a sin.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 158, a. 8
And lacking the passion: “Consequently lack of the passion of anger is also a vice, even as the lack of movement in the will directed to punishment by the judgment of reason.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 158, a. 8
Meekness, the mean: “hence it is a mean between irascibility and lack of anger”Merkelbach II, n. 1033In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2545; Bontempi On meekness, n. 6

What It Is Not

Not the likeness of God's calm: “He that is entirely without anger when he ought to be angry, imitates God as to lack of passion, but not as to God's punishing by judgment.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 158, a. 8, ad 1
Anger with cause is judgment, and good: “Anger, when it has a cause, is not anger but judgment.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 158, a. 8In nearly the same words: Vermeersch n. 730; Prümmer II, n. 709; McHugh-Callan n. 2545

Its Kinds

Heli's example: “Thus, Heli was seriously reproved and punished because he winked at grave disorders, or at least was too easy-going in his corrections”McHugh-Callan n. 2550

Its Gravity

As grave as the duty left undone: “This is not distinguished in malice from the omission itself of the office, and is not evil except insofar as in it the omission of the due action is judged to be willed.”Merkelbach II, n. 1036
Often mortal by the harm it does: “is often a mortal sin on account of the grave harm it inflicts upon the common welfare and the protection it affords to crime”McHugh-Callan n. 2550
A sign that reason's judgment is wanting: “so the lack of anger is a sign that the judgment of reason is lacking”St. Thomas II-II, q. 158, a. 8, ad 3

Its Remedies

Anger as the servant of reason: “The passion of anger, like all other movements of the sensitive appetite, is useful, as being conducive to the more prompt execution”St. Thomas II-II, q. 158, a. 8, ad 2
Severity when it is needed: “he says that severity and discipline are sometimes necessary for a master, when the disciple has been slow and dull”Bontempi On meekness, n. 6
Remembering that neglect is cruelty: “But if they neglect them and allow them to perish, that is rather false meekness, true cruelty.”Bontempi On cruelty, n. 6

Where It Comes From

Rarer, since anger comes more naturally: “Yet because we are too prone to desiring vengeance for injuries, no virtue is named whose office is to excite anger according to right reason.”Vermeersch n. 730In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 157, a. 2, ad 2

Cruelty and Excessive Leniency

What It Is

Against clemency: “Hence cruelty is directly opposed to clemency.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 159, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1040; Bontempi On cruelty, n. 1
Cruelty: “is the vice by which punishments are exacted beyond measure from austerity of soul”Merkelbach II, n. 1040In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 159, a. 1, ad 1; Prümmer II, n. 710; Wouters n. 452; McHugh-Callan n. 2552; Bontempi On cruelty, n. 1
Excessive leniency: “by which punishment is mitigated or altogether remitted contrary to the dictate of reason, when the welfare of the delinquent or the example of others requires just severity”Merkelbach II, n. 1040In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 710; Wouters n. 452; McHugh-Callan n. 2552; Bontempi On cruelty, n. 4
The name: “Cruelty apparently takes its name from "cruditas" [rawness].”St. Thomas II-II, q. 159, a. 1

What It Is Not

Not properly mercilessness: “it is more directly opposed to clemency than to mercy; yet on account of the mutual likeness of these virtues, cruelty is sometimes taken for mercilessness”St. Thomas II-II, q. 159, a. 1, ad 2In nearly the same words: Bontempi On cruelty, n. 1
Not just severity: “Yet they are not really opposed to one another, since they are both according to right reason.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 157, a. 2, ad 1In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2552
Leniency is not clemency: “Clemency is not the same thing, then, as arbitrary laxity or sentimentalism.”McHugh-Callan n. 2551In nearly the same words: Vermeersch n. 731

Its Kinds

Savagery, a bestial kind: “Consequently it is evident that it is comprised under bestiality: for such like pleasure is not human but bestial”St. Thomas II-II, q. 159, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1040; Prümmer II, n. 710; McHugh-Callan n. 2552; Bontempi On cruelty, n. 2
Savagery, against the gift of piety: “Consequently we may say that savagery is directly opposed to the gift of piety.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 159, a. 2, ad 1In nearly the same words: Bontempi On cruelty, n. 3
The excessive punishment itself, injustice: “excess in punishing, as regards the external action, belongs to injustice”St. Thomas II-II, q. 159, a. 1, ad 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1040
Toward animals too: “Cruelty and ferocity are exercised principally against men, but secondarily also against animals.”Prümmer II, n. 710In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 346

Its Gravity

Mortal, in St. Bonaventure: “the excess of cruelty in exacting punishments, by imprisoning, etc., is a mortal sin”Bontempi On cruelty, n. 7
It spoils even a just punishment: “the punishment of a delinquent subject is a good act, and if grave cruelty accedes to it, it becomes an act simply evil”Prümmer n. 118
Leniency, as pernicious as cruelty: “Excessive leniency, too, by which the guilty are not punished and the way is opened to crimes, is likewise mortal.”Bontempi On cruelty, n. 7In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1040; Prümmer II, n. 710
St. Gregory, leniency a hidden cruelty: “Very often lax remission is esteemed as though it were meekness and piety, and while offenders are spared temporally more than is fitting, they are cruelly reserved to eternal punishments.”Bontempi On cruelty, n. 5
In parents: “Parents therefore sin who do not restrain the excesses of their children by suitable chastisement.”Prümmer II, n. 589
Toward animals, venial of itself: “This sin indeed of itself is nothing except venial, since it is nothing except excess in an otherwise licit use; but by accident it becomes mortal”Prümmer II, n. 14In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 346

Its Remedies

Love: “Hence love makes one quick to mitigate punishment”St. Thomas II-II, q. 157, a. 1, ad 2
Sweetness of soul: “This moderation of soul comes from a certain sweetness of disposition, whereby a man recoils from anything that may be painful to another.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 157, a. 3, ad 1
Authority used with moderation: “The clement man, on the contrary, keeps his poise and uses his authority with moderation.”McHugh-Callan n. 2551
Against leniency, care for the common peace: “by a suitable method provision ought to be made for the common peace and quiet”Vermeersch n. 731

Where It Comes From

From hatred: “while hatred is an obstacle to such mitigation”St. Thomas II-II, q. 157, a. 1, ad 2
From the use of power: “Many persons are spoiled by authority: feeling their own importance, they desire to exercise their powers to the limit and to keep others down as much as possible.”McHugh-Callan n. 2551
Savagery, from evil custom or a corrupt nature: “resulting as it does either from evil custom, or from a corrupt nature, as do other bestial emotions”St. Thomas II-II, q. 159, a. 2
What it breeds: “From this, he says, arise those daughters, imprisonments, beatings, floggings, duels, mutilations, and killings”Bontempi On cruelty, n. 1

Excessive Self-Abjection

What It Is

Inordinate self-abjection: “Opposed to humility by excess is inordinate self-abjection, which is the inordinate renunciation of one's own honor and reputation and is therefore done with neglect of one's duty”Prümmer II, n. 715In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1047; Wouters n. 456; McHugh-Callan n. 2561
Humility, the mean: “Humility is a mean between pride and excessive self-abasement.”Merkelbach II, n. 1047In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2561
A lowering of oneself against reason: “or from within, and then it can be either contrary to reason (laagheid) or according to right reason”Merkelbach II, n. 1041

What It Is Not

Not reckoning oneself lowest within: “Consequently a man, by an inward act of the soul, may subject himself to another, without giving the other man an occasion of detriment to his spiritual welfare.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 161, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1044; Prümmer II, n. 712
Not choosing the lowlier place, where duty allows: “in external things and functions to embrace that which is more abject, unless the contrary is necessary”Prümmer II, n. 714In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1045
Humility does not deny God's gifts: “It by no means prevents us from gladly acknowledging, notwithstanding humility, the goods, whether natural or supernatural, which God has bestowed upon us.”Prümmer II, n. 712

Its Kinds

Turning from higher things, pusillanimity: “As a turning away from these higher things to which one should aspire, this sin is the same as littleness of soul, and it is opposed to greatness of soul”McHugh-Callan n. 2561In nearly the same words: Vermeersch n. 728
Gifts left idle: “Examples are persons of knowledge who waste their time on menial labor when they should be more usefully employed in other pursuits”McHugh-Callan n. 2561
Yielding to error: “or who permit themselves to be corrected and guided by the errors and false principles of the ignorant”McHugh-Callan n. 2561

Its Gravity

Casting away one's reputation, prodigality: “One who without proportionate cause neglects his reputation is guilty of the sin of prodigality”Wouters n. 766In nearly the same words: Noldin n. 66; Merkelbach II, n. 169
Noldin, venial unless office or others suffer: “which nevertheless does not exceed venial sin. It can be grave either against charity or against justice if reputation is necessary for fulfilling an office or if others suffer harm from it.”Noldin n. 66
Prümmer, gravely forbidden: “man is gravely prohibited from diminishing his own reputation, especially if his infamy redounds upon his neighbor”Prümmer II, n. 7
In superiors, lest authority be broken: “due moderation must be observed in the outward acts of humility even as of other virtues, lest they conduce to the detriment of others”St. Thomas II-II, q. 161, a. 3, ad 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1046

Its Remedies

A prudent man's counsel: “In practice it is usually safer not to trust too much in one's own judgment in this matter, but to seek the counsel of a prudent man.”Prümmer II, n. 7
Humility keeps to the truth: “Humility should take the part of truth, not of falsehood.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 161, a. 3
Its root in God's gifts, not one's nothingness: “Yet we prefer to place the formal root of humility, rather than in one's own nothingness itself, in the origin of every good from God.”Vermeersch n. 724
Due care of one's excellence: “Humility, for a reasonable cause, pursues care for one's own excellence.”Merkelbach II, n. 1047
Magnanimity: “and another to strengthen the mind against despair, and urge it on to the pursuit of great things according to right reason; and this is magnanimity”St. Thomas II-II, q. 161, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1041

Curiosity

What It Is

Curiosity: “Hence it can be defined: the inordinate appetite of knowing.”Merkelbach II, n. 1053In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 716; Wouters n. 459; McHugh-Callan n. 2563
In a broad sense, needless care: “This generally signifies every superfluous care about useless things in clothing, furniture, speech, art, exterior things”Merkelbach II, n. 1053
The concupiscence of the eyes: “it is called concupiscence of the eyes”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 2, ad 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1056; Prümmer II, n. 716
A fault in the desire, not in knowledge: “studiousness is directly, not about knowledge itself, but about the desire and study in the pursuit of knowledge”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1052

What It Is Not

Not knowledge itself: “For the knowledge of truth, strictly speaking, is good”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 1
Not ordered use of the senses: “if one be ordinately intent on the knowledge of sensible things by reason of the necessity of sustaining nature, or for the sake of the study of intelligible truth, this studiousness about the knowledge of sensible things is virtuous”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1053
Not looking to others' deeds for their good or ours: “One may watch other people's actions or inquire into them, with a good intent, either for one's own good”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 2, ad 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1056

Its Kinds

For an evil end: “First, when one tends by his study to the knowledge of truth as having evil accidentally annexed to it, for instance those who study to know the truth that they may take pride in their knowledge.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1053; Prümmer II, n. 716
Neglecting the study one owes: “First, when a man is withdrawn by a less profitable study from a study that is an obligation incumbent on him”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1053; Prümmer II, n. 716; McHugh-Callan n. 2563
Learning from demons: “Secondly, when a man studies to learn of one, by whom it is unlawful to be taught, as in the case of those who seek to know the future through the demons.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1053; Prümmer II, n. 716; McHugh-Callan n. 2563
Not referring it to God: “Thirdly, when a man desires to know the truth about creatures, without referring his knowledge to its due end, namely, the knowledge of God.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1053; Prümmer II, n. 716
Above one's capacity: “Fourthly, when a man studies to know the truth above the capacity of his own intelligence, since by so doing men easily fall into error”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1053; Prümmer II, n. 716; McHugh-Callan n. 2563
Of the senses, drawing from what is useful: “First, when the sensitive knowledge is not directed to something useful, but turns man away from some useful consideration.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1053; Prümmer II, n. 716
Of the senses, toward harm: “even so the busy inquiry into other people's actions is directed to detraction”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1053; McHugh-Callan n. 2563
Merkelbach, formal and material: “for if it were done for another end, and not from the delectation of cognition, it is not formal curiosity but material curiosity”Merkelbach II, n. 1053

Its Gravity

Venial of itself: “according to itself is a venial sin; because it does not seem a great inordination that man should apply superfluous care in knowing things which do not pertain to him”Merkelbach II, n. 1054In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2564; Prümmer II, n. 716
Mortal by matter, end or means: “Yet it can become mortal in many ways per accidens from circumstances”Merkelbach II, n. 1054In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 716; McHugh-Callan n. 2564
Prying into secrets: “or intend to know the secret of confession”Merkelbach II, n. 1054In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2564
Opening another's letters, against justice too: “He who opens and reads another's letters sins not only by the vice of curiosity, but also against justice.”Prümmer II, n. 716In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1054; McHugh-Callan n. 2564
Spectacles: “Sight-seeing becomes sinful, when it renders a man prone to the vices of lust and cruelty on account of things he sees represented.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 2, ad 2In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2564

Its Remedies

Rising from creatures to God: “in studying creatures, we must not be moved by empty and perishable curiosity; but we should ever mount towards immortal and abiding things”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 1
Not seeking what is too high: “Seek not the things that are too high for thee, and search not into things above thy ability”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 1
From the Abbot John, mortifying the hearing: “Let him who wishes to restrain the tongue shut his ears by mortifying the curiosity of hearing news.”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. XVI
Guarding the eyes: “We should not encourage curiosity, nor stare out of windows”Spirago II. GENERAL MEANS FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF PERF
Leaving others' affairs alone: “you must be on your guard against idle curiosity and keep your mind from desiring to know their secret affairs”Deshon Guide, ch. LXI

Where It Comes From

From the lust of experiment: “out of the lust of experiment and knowledge”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 2, ad 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1056
It begets pride: “So great a pride is thus begotten, that one would think they dwelt in the very heavens about which they argue.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 167, a. 1
With neglect of one's own affairs: “Curiosity and negligence are usually found in the same person”McHugh-Callan n. 2563

Vices of Bearing, Play and Dress

What It Is

In bearing, affectation: “By excess there is opposed affectation, by which someone attends too much to the external movements of the body, beyond the measure of right reason”Wouters n. 462In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1059; Prümmer II, n. 717
In bearing, rusticity: “by defect, rusticity, by which someone does not attend enough to the same movements, against the prescription of right reason”Wouters n. 462In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1059; Prümmer II, n. 717
McHugh-Callan, six vices of bearing: “Thus, sincerity is offended by bluntness and affectation, self-respect by stiffness and servility, and consideration for others by flattery and rudeness.”McHugh-Callan n. 2566
In play, by excess: “By excess, scurrility is opposed to eutrapely, by which someone uses playful things and jokes beyond the measure of right reason”Wouters n. 465In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 3; Merkelbach II, n. 1061; McHugh-Callan n. 2567; Bontempi Last Question: On the other vices, n. 11; Vermeersch n. 736; Prümmer II, n. 717
In play, by defect: “it is against reason for a man to be burdensome to others, by offering no pleasure to others, and by hindering their enjoyment”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 4In nearly the same words: Wouters n. 465; Merkelbach II, n. 1061; Vermeersch n. 736; Bontempi Last Question: On the other vices, n. 24; McHugh-Callan n. 2567
In dress, by excess: “By excess there is opposed luxury, inclining one to adornment of the body and arrangement of external things beyond the measure of right reason”Wouters n. 468In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1065; Prümmer II, n. 717; McHugh-Callan n. 2569
In dress, by defect: “by defect, negligence, by which someone in the adornment of the body and arrangement of external things remains below the measure owed to his condition”Wouters n. 468In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1064; Prümmer II, n. 717; McHugh-Callan n. 2569
In dress, measured against custom: “First, in comparison with the customs of those among whom one lives”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1063
In dress, from attachment: “Secondly, the lack of moderation in the use of these things may arise from the inordinate attachment of the user”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1063

What It Is Not

Not correcting one's bearing: “Nevertheless it behooves one to study them, so that if they be in any way inordinate, this may be corrected.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 1, ad 4
Not play itself: “Hence it is necessary at times to make use of them, in order to give rest, as it were, to the soul.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1060; McHugh-Callan n. 2567; Bontempi On immodesty in words, gestures, j, n. 21; Vermeersch n. 736; Spirago The Relaxations Permitted to the Christian; St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. XXIV
Not the actor's calling as such: “the occupation of play-actors, the object of which is to cheer the heart of man, is not unlawful in itself”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 3, ad 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1062
Not spectacles and dances of themselves: “these, according to themselves, that is, with depraved circumstances excluded, are not dishonorable, but morally indifferent”Merkelbach II, n. 1062In nearly the same words: Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. VI
Not the penitent's mourning: “Mirth is forbidden the penitent because he is called upon to mourn for his sins. Nor does this imply a vice in default”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 4, ad 1In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2567
Not the costly dress of office: “Those who are placed in a position of dignity, or again the ministers of the altar, are attired in more costly apparel than others, not for the sake of their own glory, but to indicate the excellence of their office or of the Divine worship: wherefore this is not sinful in them.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 1, ad 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1065; McHugh-Callan n. 2569
Not plain dress for mortification: “whereas, if this be done to tame the flesh, or to humble the spirit, it belongs to the virtue of temperance”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 1, ad 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1064; McHugh-Callan n. 2569
Not adornment in itself: “Now the adornment of women, even for fostering and raising up beauty, per se is an indifferent thing, and therefore good if it is done according to right reason”Merkelbach II, n. 1066In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 2, ad 1; Prümmer II, n. 717; McHugh-Callan n. 2570
Not a wife's care to please her husband: “Wherefore if a married woman adorn herself in order to please her husband she can do this without sin.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 2In nearly the same words: Vermeersch n. 734; Merkelbach II, n. 1067; McHugh-Callan n. 2570
Not hiding a defect: “it is one thing to counterfeit a beauty one has not, and another to hide a disfigurement arising from some cause such as sickness or the like. For this is lawful”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 2, ad 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1066; McHugh-Callan n. 2570

Its Kinds

Affectation, beyond the common mode or one's condition: “which exceeds the prescription of reason in exterior motions and gestures, for example, if someone exceeds the common mode too much, or assumes a foreign mode which does not fit his own condition”Merkelbach II, n. 1059
Excess of play, in the deed itself: “First, on account of the very species of the acts employed for the purpose of fun”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1061; McHugh-Callan n. 2567
Excess of play, in its circumstances: “Secondly, there may be excess in play, through lack of due circumstances: for instance when people make use of fun at undue times or places, or out of keeping with the matter in hand, or persons.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1061; McHugh-Callan n. 2567; Bontempi On immodesty in words, gestures, j, n. 22
Excess of play, in the player's disposition: “Sometimes the disposition of the person himself is sinful (e.g., those who make recreation the chief occupation of life”McHugh-Callan n. 2567In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 2, ad 2
Defect in play, denying oneself rest: “Those persons offend here who deprive themselves of necessary relaxation”McHugh-Callan n. 2567In nearly the same words: Vermeersch n. 736
Defect in play, embittering others' recreation: “by biting, carping, and embittering them out of a certain unurbanity which I call Saturnine”Bontempi Last Question: On the other vices, n. 24In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2567
Excess in dress, for glory: “First when a man seeks glory from excessive attention to dress”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1065; McHugh-Callan n. 2569
Excess in dress, for comfort: “Secondly, when a man seeks sensuous pleasure from excessive attention to dress, in so far as dress is directed to the body's comfort.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1065
Excess in dress, too much care: “Thirdly, when a man is too solicitous”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1065; McHugh-Callan n. 2569; Prümmer II, n. 717
Defect in dress, by neglect: “First, through a man's neglect to give the requisite study or trouble to the use of outward apparel.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1064; McHugh-Callan n. 2569
Defect in dress, for glory: “Secondly, by seeking glory from the very lack of attention to outward attire.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 1In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1064; McHugh-Callan n. 2569
Dress unbefitting one's state: “as if a cleric or religious use the indecent dress of seculars, a poor man the garments of the rich, a widow the habit of married women”Bontempi On the adornment of women, n. 6In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1067
The dress of the other sex: “Hence it is in itself sinful for a woman to wear man's clothes, or vice versa”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 2, ad 3In nearly the same words: Bontempi On the adornment of women, n. 20; Merkelbach II, n. 1067
Counterfeit beauty: “Cyprian is speaking of women painting themselves: this is a kind of falsification, which cannot be devoid of sin.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 2, ad 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1067; Bontempi On the adornment of women, n. 25

Its Gravity

Affectation and rusticity, venial of themselves: “Per se these are venial; per accidens they can be mortal by reason of the end, scandal, offense, grave harm, etc.”Merkelbach II, n. 1059
Play, mortal when the deed is indecent or injurious: “And thus it is evident that excessive play is a mortal sin.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1061; Bontempi Last Question: On the other vices, n. 12
Mortal, from attachment ready to break God's law: “This may be sometimes a mortal sin on account of the strong attachment to play, when a man prefers the pleasure he derives therefrom to the love of God, so as to be willing to disobey a commandment of God or of the Church”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1061; Bontempi Last Question: On the other vices, n. 12
Otherwise venial: “Sometimes, however, it is a venial sin, for instance where a man is not so attached to amusement as to be willing for its sake to do anything in disobedience to God.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 3In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1061; McHugh-Callan n. 2568
McHugh-Callan, defect mortal when children are driven from all diversion: “or to drive one’s children to the devil by forbidding them necessary diversion”McHugh-Callan n. 2568
Defect in play less grave than excess: “it follows that "lack of mirth is less sinful than excess thereof."”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 4In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1061; McHugh-Callan n. 2568
Supporting unlawful entertainers: “on the other hand, if a man spends too much on such persons, or maintains those comedians who practice unlawful mirth, he sins as encouraging them in their sin”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 3, ad 3In nearly the same words: Bontempi On immodesty in words, gestures, j, n. 17
Spectacles and dances, grave by end, danger or scandal: “nevertheless in practice they sometimes provide an occasion of sinning and become gravely dishonorable”Merkelbach II, n. 1062In nearly the same words: Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. VI; Bontempi On immodesty in words, gestures, j, n. 20
Excess in dress, venial of itself: “hence excess per se is only a venial sin, yet it can be mortal both by reason of intention or of an evil end mortally evil, and by reason of danger or grave scandal”Merkelbach II, n. 1066In nearly the same words: Bontempi On the adornment of women, n. 15; Prümmer II, n. 717
Mortal, to provoke lust: “And if indeed they adorn themselves with this intention of provoking others to lust, they sin mortally”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1067; Vermeersch n. 734; McHugh-Callan n. 2570; Bontempi On the adornment of women, n. 8
From vanity, venial: “whereas if they do so from frivolity, or from vanity for the sake of ostentation, it is not always mortal, but sometimes venial”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1067; McHugh-Callan n. 2570
Custom weighs the scandal: “For estimating danger or scandal, the custom of the country has much force”Merkelbach II, n. 1066In nearly the same words: St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 2
Bontempi, mortal when the poor suffer: “I assert sixth, that it can be mortal by reason of the time, if the poor gravely suffer from it; for it is against charity”Bontempi On the adornment of women, n. 23

Its Remedies

St. Alphonsus sets his rules of modesty by its parts, dress, walk, sitting, meals and speech, and gives recreation its own rules; St. Thomas gives three cautions for play, which Merkelbach and Bontempi repeat as conditions; Merkelbach's Pastoral Questions give the confessor's part. The remedies are set under those heads.

In dress
Neat, not vain: “Modesty of dress is not incompatible with neatness or cleanliness.”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VIIIIn nearly the same words: Deshon Guide, ch. LXVIII
In dress
One's station, without singularity: “outward apparel should be consistent with the estate of the person, according to the general custom”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 2, ad 3In nearly the same words: Deshon Guide, ch. LXVII
In dress
Contentment: “Having food and wherewith to be covered, with these let us be content”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 1In nearly the same words: Deshon Guide, ch. LXVII
In dress
A soul taken up with God: “Simply because her soul is taken up with something more important than dress.”Deshon Guide, ch. LXVII
In dress
What is spared, given to the poor: “she has the opportunity of doing something to help the wretched and afflicted poor”Deshon Guide, ch. LXVIII
In walk and bearing
A grave walk: “Your walk, to be modest, must be grave, neither too quick nor too slow.”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VIIIIn nearly the same words: Bontempi On immodesty in words, gestures, j, n. 2
In walk and bearing
Without artifice, not without correction: “Let them be without artifice, but not without correction.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 1, ad 4
In walk and bearing
Effort supplies what nature lacks: “Let nature guide the movement: and if nature fail in any respect, surely effort will supply the defect.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 1, ad 2
In walk and bearing
Edifying others: “How delightful it is to do good to others by your appearance!”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VIIIIn nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1058
In walk and bearing
A help to the other virtues: “But on the contrary, the exercise of modesty also helps much toward acquiring, preserving, and increasing other virtues”Marc n. 410
In recreation
In the Lord: “But he says in the Lord; which implies that in recreation there should be moderation and modesty.”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. XXIVIn nearly the same words: Spirago The Relaxations Permitted to the Christian
In recreation
Nothing base or injurious: “The first and chief is that the pleasure in question should not be sought in indecent or injurious deeds or words.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1060; Bontempi On immodesty in words, gestures, j, n. 23
In recreation
Gravity kept: “Another thing to be observed is that one lose not the balance of one's mind altogether.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1060; Bontempi On immodesty in words, gestures, j, n. 24; Vermeersch n. 736
In recreation
Fitting person, time and place: “we must be careful, as in all other human actions, to conform ourselves to persons, time, and place”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1060; Bontempi On immodesty in words, gestures, j, n. 25; Vermeersch n. 736
In recreation
After duty, and within its time: “then only when we have done our duty by grave and serious matters”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 2, ad 3In nearly the same words: Spirago The Relaxations Permitted to the Christian; St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. XXIV
In recreation
A little salt: “but little sweetness suffices to season life, just as little salt suffices for our meat”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 4In nearly the same words: Spirago The Relaxations Permitted to the Christian
In recreation
The thought of death: “The thought of death is a useful check upon indulgence in the pleasures of the senses”Spirago The Relaxations Permitted to the Christian
In recreation
No jests at others' defects: “You must abstain from certain jests and jocose remarks on the real and known defects of others”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VIII
In recreation
Moderate laughter: “Moderate laughter, which shows the serenity of the soul, is neither a violation of decorum nor opposed to devotion.”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VIII
In recreation
Against the defect, a cheerful face: “A religious should always present an appearance of modesty and devotion, but not of sadness and melancholy.”St. Alphonsus True Spouse, ch. VIIIIn nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2567
The confessor's part
Gently, by persuading: “gently nevertheless, rather by persuading indirectly than by threatening directly”Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. VIIn nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 717
The confessor's part
Where he cannot dissuade, lessening the danger: “that the penitent set before himself an honorable end; preserve modesty, especially in dress, gesture, and speech”Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. VIIn nearly the same words: Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. VI
The confessor's part
Sharp rebuke where it incites: “But if this adornment incites to lasciviousness, then assuredly it is to be sharply censured.”Prümmer II, n. 717In nearly the same words: McHugh-Callan n. 2570

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

Where It Comes From

Bearing shows the inward man: “the body's movement is an index of the soul”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 1, ad 1In nearly the same words: Prümmer II, n. 717; McHugh-Callan n. 2566; Merkelbach II, n. 1058; Marc n. 410; Wouters n. 461
Senseless mirth, a daughter of gluttony: “Excessive play pertains to senseless mirth, which Gregory (Moral. xxxi, 17) calls a daughter of gluttony.”St. Thomas II-II, q. 168, a. 3, ad 2In nearly the same words: Merkelbach II, n. 1061
Too much rest from labor, softness: “but insofar as it is too much rest from labor, it is a certain softness which is opposed to perseverance and fortitude”Merkelbach II, n. 1062
Costly dress, from vainglory: “No one, forsooth, seeks costly apparel”St. Thomas II-II, q. 169, a. 1
The worldly spirit: “In one word, those who so attempt to worship God that nevertheless they do not offend the world.”Merkelbach Pastoral, Q. VIIn nearly the same words: Spirago The Relaxations Permitted to the Christian