"Seven" is a number which has a mystical significance for many cultures and traditions. The early Christian church listed several things in sevens. One of the most influential of these lists is that of the Seven Deadly Sins, made by Pope Gregory the Great (540 AD to 605 AD).
The medieval theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas discussed these sins in detail in his Summa Theologica, and as a result, he made them widely known.- Anger, wrath, or ire; a feeling of hostility or rage, that can often result violence.
- Avarice, covetousness, or greed; that is, the a dominant desire for material gain.
- Envy, the desire to have what others have, including both material goods and personal attributes.
- Gluttony, consuming too much of something which might be good in moderation. It usually refers to food, but can it can refer to any material goods.
- Lechery, or lust which is the desire for physical, and especially, sexual pleasure.
- Pride or vainglory, a feeling of superiority and an excessive belief in one's own abilities. This is usually considered the worst of the sins.
- Sloth, which refers to spiritual apathy as well as simple laziness.
The list of the Seven Deadly Sins was often contrasted with that of the "Seven Cardinal Virtues"; however, as Thomas Aquinas was careful to explain, they are not direct opposites. In Christian terms, a "deadly" or "capital" sin is one that cuts the sinner off from God and for a believer, this is a fate worse than death, since it is thought to lead to eternal damnation.
In non-Christian terms, these sins may be seen as character faults, which damage a person's spiritual development.
The Seven Deadly Sins are classified as "deadly", not merely because they constitute serious moral offenses, but also because they promote other sins and further immoral behavior; so, the Seven Deadly Sins are also called the deadly "vices", which is considered by some to be more accurate. They are basic, perhaps universal human tendencies, from which other sins result.