Christianity condemns lust as a transgression, yet the empires of Greece and Rome embraced it. The history of this particular sin is replete with unexpected turns: from Gnostic Christian rituals of ecstatic abandon to the stern anti-fornica…

The medieval philosopher St. Thomas Aquinas described those consumed by envy as deriving "pleasure from another's misfortune." Italian writer Dante, too, characterized the envious as individuals "with eyes sewn shut, delighted to witness th…

From the 4th century onward, Christians held the belief that excessive eating could invite damnation. During the Dark Ages, theologians identified seven distinct forms of gluttony, ranging from overindulgence to an almost excessive fastidio…

The failing of sloth is, at its heart, the failing of idleness. Some scholars propose that this spiritual failing may have been a medieval understanding of clinical depression. Throughout history, remedies for sloth have varied widely, from…

Condemned since the time of Moses, the flaw of avarice has fueled the rise of mighty empires, only to contribute to their inevitable downfall. From the pronouncements of Aristotle to the teachings of Jesus, discerning minds have long lament…

Anger is a destructive force, a sin with lethal consequences. Even the prophet Moses was known for his volatile temper. The legendary warriors of Sparta practiced meditation to subdue anger before engaging in combat. In the writings of Dant…

Dante, the Italian poet, designated pride as the "Chief of All Sins," equating it to the very essence of Satan. This transgression has been denounced throughout history, condemned by the Bible and the philosopher Socrates, yet embraced as t…