This list of sins and virtues comes from the 14th century book, "The Goodman of Paris," and reflects the medieval view on sins and virtues (although, for the most part, they're still what's taught in the Catholic church today).
New Table of Contents
- The Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Virtues
- Sins
- 1. Pride
- 2. Envy
- 3. Wrath
- 4. Sloth
- 5. Avarice (Greed)
- 6. Gluttony
- 7. Lechery
- Virtues
- 1. Humility
- 2. Loving Kindness
- 3. Gentleness
- 4. Diligence/Industry
- 5. Mercy and Charity
- 6. Temperance
- 7. Chastity
- Virtuous Links
- Related Books
- The Medieval Nun @ Etsy
- Reader Feedback
The Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Virtues
The Goodman not only lists the seven sins and virtues, but divides them up into more specific actions which fall under the heading of one sin or virtue (which he refers to as "branches" of sin). As these were favorite topics of preaching in the middle ages, I think that the Goodman would have been conveying what he had learned about the sins and virtues, rather than coming up with these branches on his own.
In some cases, it is not readily apparent what the Goodman means by using a particular word to define a branch of one of the sins, or how it differs from a description that he has already used. My only explanation is that his meaning has either become lost in translation, or that same word was defined differently in the middle ages. In some cases, his definitions of branch-words are out of order and it is not readily apparent which definition belongs to which word. Where a word is listed and its definition is not readily apparent, and I know from the Goodman's definitions what is meant by the word, I have listed a better definition in parentheses.
In some cases, it is not readily apparent what the Goodman means by using a particular word to define a branch of one of the sins, or how it differs from a description that he has already used. My only explanation is that his meaning has either become lost in translation, or that same word was defined differently in the middle ages. In some cases, his definitions of branch-words are out of order and it is not readily apparent which definition belongs to which word. Where a word is listed and its definition is not readily apparent, and I know from the Goodman's definitions what is meant by the word, I have listed a better definition in parentheses.
Sins
These are considered deadly sins, because failing to confess them before death earns you a trip straight to hell (notice that pretty much every possible sin is a deadly sin).
1. Pride
This is the root and beginning of all other sins
- Disobedience (in refusing to be charitable towards others)
- Vainglory
- Hypocrisy
- Discord
- Aloofness
Pride atop flattery
2. Envy
- Hatred
- Malice
- Murmuring (Seething)
- Detraction (Gossiping)
- Being glad of another's mishaps, or angry at another's good fortune
Treachery and Calumny Ride Envy
3. Wrath
- Hatred
- Contention
- Presumption
- Indignation
- Swearing
Wrath
4. Sloth
- Negligence
- Grudging (being occupied by wrath to the point of failing to do good)
- Carnality (taking too much ease)
- Vanity of the heart (knowingly failing to make confession)
- Despair
- Presumption (assuming that one is above sin)
Sloth
5. Avarice (Greed)
- Theft
- Rapine (borrowing and not returning; concealing or profiting from stolen items)
- Fraud
- Deceit
- Usury
- Gambling
- Simony (selling of church offices or favors; misuse of tithes)
Avarice
6. Gluttony
- Overindulgence
- Eating before time (breaking fast before church)
- Eating more often than needed
- Eating and/or drinking to the point of sickness or drunkenness
- Wolfing down food
- Eating expensive delicacies to the point where charity is forsaken
- Ribald and wanton speech (e.g. boasting, flattering, swearing, gossiping, grumbling, rebelling and blaming; idle babbling)
Gluttony and Hypocrisy
7. Lechery
There are six branches of lechery, but the text that lists them is missing; only two remain.
One can assume that of the missing, there must have been a prohibition against sex outside of marriage--although that might have been divided into two sins: sex prior to marriage and adultery within it. There was probably a prohibition against people who had taken vows--nuns, monks and priests--from having sex as well. Throw in a prohibition against having sex with a close kinsman, and you're pretty sure to have all six.
One can assume that of the missing, there must have been a prohibition against sex outside of marriage--although that might have been divided into two sins: sex prior to marriage and adultery within it. There was probably a prohibition against people who had taken vows--nuns, monks and priests--from having sex as well. Throw in a prohibition against having sex with a close kinsman, and you're pretty sure to have all six.
- Fornication on a holy day or during vigil.
- Fornication in a holy place.
Lechery
Virtues
Practicing these virtues will 1) keep you from committing deadly sins, and 2) negate the deadly sin that you have already committed.
1. Humility
This counters pride.
Humility
2. Loving Kindness
This is counters envy.
Justice
3. Gentleness
This turns away wrath.
Gentleness
4. Diligence/Industry
This is against sloth.
Fortitude
5. Mercy and Charity
"He does well who gives to them at once when they ask him, but he does better still who gives without being asked."
Mercy and charity counter greed.
They are demonstrated by:
Mercy and charity counter greed.
They are demonstrated by:
- Giving food and drink to the poor
- Clothing the poor
- Lending to the poor and needy, and forgiving their debts
- Visiting the sick
- Housing the poor
- Visiting those in prison
- Burying the dead
Charity
6. Temperance
This counters gluttony.
Temperance
7. Chastity
Chastity is preserved by the observing following:
- Maintaining a clean (chaste) conscience by:
* Willingly hear the Word of God
* Confessing often
* Remembering the Passion of Christ - Shunning those whose speak evil words
- Restraining the eyes from foolishly looking, the ears from foolishly hearing, the nostrils from too much smelling and delighting in sweet odors, the hands from foolishly touching, the feet from going into evil places
- Fasting
- Shunning evil company
- Being busy with good works
- Praying (which you should practice):
* Faith
* Hope
* Devotion
Prudence
Virtuous Links
- Medieval Prayers
- This collection of prayers includes prayers of confession for many of these sins.
- National Library of the Netherlands
- A searchable database of many medieval illuminations. Best source on the web that I've found.
- Ben Franklin's Virtues
- A similar list to the one above, only between Ben and myself, we've put together 12 virtues, one to be practiced each month.
- The Medieval Nun's Squidoo Hub
- Have a look at my other historic (namely medieval) and religious lenses.
Related Books
The Goodman of Paris (Le Menagier de Paris): A Treatise on Moral and Domestic Economy by A Citizen of Paris, c.1393
Amazon Price: $21.24 (as of 01/03/2010) 
The Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Cardinal Virtues: And, the Seven Cardinal Virtues
Amazon Price: (as of 01/03/2010)
The Medieval Nun @ Etsy
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- TheMedievalNun TheMedievalNun Mar 24, 2009 @ 3:17 pm | in reply to Medievalist
- Most of the images came from the National Library of the Netherlands collection (I've added a link to them; not sure why I missed putting it up the first time around). Unfortunately, they do not seem to refer to any of their manuscripts by name, but rather by a folio number. Which, in my opinion, makes referencing the pictures fairly pointless, because Foli245 really means nothing to anyone; it'd be like telling someone a catalog number but still not telling them the title of the book.
Mind you, book titles are a fairly modern invention and were not consistently used in the middle ages. Things like bibles, books of hours and psalters were numerous, but there was never any title to distinguish copies, and any title that is applied to one (such as the Macejowski Bible) has been applied modernly by scholars and is somewhat arbitrary--some of them being named after someone who once owned it, and sometimes after the region where it was created.
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- Medievalist Medievalist Mar 2, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
- It would be nice if you cited the manuscripts you've copied images from! Most of the sins appear to be from a Pelerinage de la Vie Humaine. Lovely stuff, aside from never acknowledging your sources!
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- Ladymermaid Ladymermaid Jan 6, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
- Finally made it in to shine your lenses up with some stars. Keep up the great work .... your lenses are fantastic.
Ladymermaid
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- Hannah Hannah Dec 18, 2008 @ 3:18 am
- Hello, I love your site, the graphics are so eyecatching, All the best for the future. ^j^
by TheMedievalNun
I have been a medieval re-enactor for 6 years and have a history degree--half of which was in medieval European history.
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