Choose a topic from Part 2A:
1. Covetousness, not as a general inordinateness of desire or asa general tendency to such inordinateness, but as a specialsin, is the root of all actual sins. This special covetousnessis the inordinate desire for riches. Riches (that is, money) open aready avenue to all excesses and sins, and are longed for bysinners. Not money itself, but the loveof money, the desirefor it, is the root of all evil, as St. Paul says (I Tim.6:10).
2. Pride as an inordinate desire to excel (not the pridewhich is an actual contempt of God or an inclination to thiscontempt), is back of the primal covetousness. Pride is thereforethe beginning of all sins. Man wants goods or riches to have someperfection by possessing them, or some excellence, or someoutstanding quality, or some notable enjoyment. Thus, whilecovetousness is the root of evil, pride is the beginning ofsins.
3. Therefore covetousness and pride are fundamental orcapital sins. These sins are like generals in an evilarmy; all the action of the evil warfare stems from them. And thereare also colonels and majors in the evil army; these too are listedwith the capital sins.
4. There are five sins in addition to pride andcovetousness that are rightly reckoned as capital sins. Hence, thecount of capital sins is seven: pride, covetousness, lust, anger,gluttony, envy, sloth.
"God has no need of men."
St Philip Neri
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"It is better to be burdened and in company with the strong than to be unburdened and with the weak. When you are burdened you are close to God, your strength, who abides with the afflicted. When you are relieved of the burden you are close to yourself, your own weakness; for virtue and strength of soul grow and are confirmed in the trials of patience."
St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church
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"God commands not impossibilities, but by commanding he suggests to you to do what you can, to ask for what is beyond your strength; and he helps you, that you may be able."
St Augustine
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