The Ten Commandments, Seven Capital Sins, Theological Virtues, and Cardinal Virtues

The Ten Commandments

  • The Ten Commandments are a set of rules for moral behavior, which were given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.
  • They are a cornerstone of both Jewish and Christian ethics.
  1. I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before Me.
    • This commandment establishes monotheism, the belief in one God, as the foundation of the moral code.
    • It directs people to worship only God and to reject all other gods or idols.
  2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
    • This commandment urges reverence and respect for God's name.
    • It prohibits using God's name in oaths, curses, or any other disrespectful way.
  3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
    • This commandment designates a specific day for rest and worship.
    • It encourages individuals to set aside time for spiritual reflection and communal worship.
  4. Honor your father and your mother.
    • This commandment highlights the importance of filial piety and respect for parents.
    • It recognizes the role of parents in nurturing and guiding their children.
  5. You shall not kill.
    • This commandment protects the sanctity of human life.
    • It prohibits the intentional taking of another person's life, emphasizing the inherent value of every individual.
  6. You shall not commit adultery.
    • This commandment promotes fidelity and commitment in marriage.
    • It prohibits sexual relations outside of marriage, emphasizing the importance of marital vows.
  7. You shall not steal.
    • This commandment protects private property and personal belongings.
    • It prohibits taking anything that does not belong to you without the owner's permission.
  8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
    • This commandment promotes honesty and integrity in communication.
    • It prohibits lying, perjury, and any other form of deceit that could harm others.
  9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
    • This commandment addresses the internal desires that can lead to immoral actions.
    • It prohibits lusting after another person's spouse, emphasizing the importance of controlling one's thoughts and desires.
  10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
    • This commandment addresses the internal desires that can lead to immoral actions.
    • It prohibits envying another person's possessions, emphasizing the importance of contentment and gratitude.

The Seven Capital Sins

  • The Seven Capital Sins, also known as the Deadly Sins, are a classification of vices that have been used since early Christian times to educate and instruct followers concerning humanity's tendency to sin.
  • They are considered "capital" because they give rise to other sins and vices.
  1. Pride: An excessively high opinion of oneself; vanity.
  2. Avarice: Greed; an excessive desire for wealth or possessions.
  3. Lust: Intense sexual desire.
  4. Envy: Jealousy of another's possessions, qualities, or success.
  5. Gluttony: Overindulgence in food or drink.
  6. Wrath: Intense anger; rage.
  7. Sloth: Laziness; failure to do what one should.

The Three Theological Virtues

  • The Theological Virtues are virtues that relate directly to God. They are faith, hope, and charity.
  • They are called "theological" because their object is God; they inform us as to how we ought to relate to God.
  1. Faith: Belief in God and in the truth of His revelation as well as obedience to Him.
  2. Hope: Expectation of receiving what God has promised; the desire for eternal life and the grace to achieve it.
  3. Charity: Love of God and love of neighbor as oneself.

The Four Cardinal Virtues

  • The Cardinal Virtues are four principal moral virtues. They are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
  • They are called "cardinal" because all other virtues are grouped around them.
  1. Prudence: Wisdom; the ability to discern the appropriate course of action to be taken in a given situation.
  2. Justice: Fairness; giving each person what he or she deserves.
  3. Fortitude: Courage; strength to overcome obstacles and persevere in doing good.
  4. Temperance: Moderation; balance in the use of created goods.