The Seven Deadly Sins Aka Capital Vices or

The Seven Deadly Sins (Aka: Capital Vices or Cardinal Sins)

The Seven Deadly Sins is a classification of the most objectionable vices, used since early Christian times to educate and instruct followers concerning immoral fallen man’s tendency to sin. They are Accidia (Sloth), Luxuria (Lust, Lechery), Superbia (Pride), Ira (Wrath, Anger), Invidia (Envy), Avaritia (Greed, Avarice), and Gula (Gluttony)

The book of proverbs states “six things the Lord hateth, and the seventh His soul detesteth”: haughty eyes a lying tongue hands that shed innocent blood a heart that devises wicked plots feet that are swift to run into mischief a deceitful witness that uttereth lies him that soweth discord among brethren.

A 4 th c. monk, Evagrius Ponticus, listed 8 evil thoughts, which are thought to be the modern concept of the Seven Deadly Sins minus sorrow (tristitia). The standard list of seven deadly sins was established by Pope Gregory the Great in the sixth century, in this order: Luxuria (extravagance/lust) Gula (gluttony/excess) Avaritia (avarice/greed) acedia (discouragement/sloth) ira (wrath/anger) invidia (envy) superbia (pride)

The Seven Deadly Sins, by Hieronymus Bosch (1485, oil on panel) is a painted rectangle with a central image of the eye of God, with Christ watching the world. The Seven Deadly Sins, depicted through scenes of worldly transgression, are arranged around the circular shape. The circular layout with god in the center represents god’s all seeing eye. In the corners of the image appear the "Four Last Things" mentioned in late medieval spiritual handbooks: Deathbed, the Last Judgment, Heaven, and Hell, all of which are favorite themes of separate Bosch panels.

Traditional punishment for committing the sins: • Pride=Broken on the wheel • Envy=Encased in freezing water • Avarice (Greed)=Boiled in oil • Wrath (Anger)=Torn apart, limb from limb • Lust=Roasted by fire and brimstone • Gluttony=Forced to eat rats, snakes, spiders, and toads • Sloth (Apathy)=Thrown into snake pits

Seven Deadly Sins or the Seven Vices, Lechery, Pieter Brueghel the Elder, engraving, 16 th c.

Seven Deadly Sins, Rafael, engraving,

Gluttony, Paul Cadmus, 1949, tempera on cardboard

Anger

Avarice/Greed

Envy

Pride

Sloth

Student Examples

Sloth

The End