Vices Contrary to Prudence and Justice

Question 1

Define precipitation and state which moral virtue it opposes.

Answer 1

Failing to take counsel (results in acting too quickly).

Opposes prudence.

Question 2

Define inconsideration and state which moral virtue it opposes.

Answer 2

Failing to judge which means is the best among the various means arrived at during counsel.

Opposes prudence.

Question 3

Define inconstancy and state which moral virtue it opposes.

Answer 3

Failure to do an action which has been counseled and judged as best.

Opposes prudence.

Question 4

Define negligence and state which moral virtue it opposes.

Answer 4

Failure to take counsel or to do what one should when one ought.

Opposes prudence.

Question 5

Define carnal prudence and state which moral virtue it opposes.

Answer 5

Applying one’s reason at means to attain created goods which are seen as one’s final end.

Opposes prudence.

Question 6

Define craftiness and state which moral virtue it opposes.

Answer 6

Industry in not using the right or true means to an end.

Opposes prudence.

Question 7

Define guile and state which moral virtue it opposes.

Answer 7

Using deceit in words.

Opposes prudence.

Question 8

Define fraud and state which moral virtue it opposes.

Answer 8

Using deceit in deeds.

Opposes prudence.

Question 9

Define acceptation of persons.

Answer 9

Being excessively deferent towards someone.

Question 10

Define murder.

Answer 10

Unjust killing of the innocent.

Question 11

Define mutilation.

Answer 11

Physical harm or changes made to one’s body aside from the order of nature.

Question 12

Define theft.

Answer 12

Occult taking of that which belongs to another.

Question 13

Define robbery.

Answer 13

Non-occult (usually violent) taking of that which belongs to another.

Question 14

Define the vice of judgement.

Answer 14

Judging him over whom one has no authority, or contrary to the truth.

Question 15

Define false accusation.

Answer 15

Accusing somebody of something that is false.

Question 16

Define perjury.

Answer 16

Lying under oath.

Question 17

Define contumely.

Answer 17

Attack on a person’s reputation.

(Usually done in their presence. Normally it is the saying of something false).

Question 18

Define detraction.

Answer 18

Saying something true in order to destroy someone’s reputation.

Question 19

Define murmuring.

Answer 19

Occult detraction in order to separate the affections of one person from another.

Question 20

Define derision.

Answer 20

Laughing at another in order to lower him in the estimation of others.

Question 21

Define malediction (cursing).

Answer 21

Calling down condemnation on something or someone.

Question 22

Define usury.

Answer 22

The taking of (excessive) interest on a loan.

Question 23

Define illicit adjuration.

Answer 23

Swearing an oath outside of due circumstances.

Question 24

Define superstition.

Answer 24

The rendering of some honour or some practice to a creature which is due only to God.

Question 25

Define idolatry.

Answer 25

Worshipping some created thing as God.

Question 26

Define divination (and witchcraft).

Answer 26

Use of the demonic in order to achieve something, (e.g. knowledge of the future, hidden knowledge), to gain power over something, etc.

Question 27

What is the name of the sin in which one demands the divine power to reveal itself?

Answer 27

Tempting God.

Question 28

Define sacrilege.

Answer 28

Ill use or abuse of something sacred.

Question 29

Define simony.

Answer 29

The purchasing or selling of something sacred.

Question 30

Define disobedience.

Answer 30

A lack of promptness to do the will of one’s superior.

Question 31

Define vengefulness.

Answer 31

Inordinate desire for vindication.

(Inordinate desire to cause harm to another in order to put an end to the harm he is causing).

Question 32

Define lying.

Answer 32

Saying the false in order to deceive.

Question 33

Define simulation (sometimes called hypocrisy).

Answer 33

Doing the false in order to deceive.

Question 34

Define boasting.

Answer 34

The drawing of attention to or the exaggeration of one’s perfection.

Question 35

Define ingratitude.

Answer 35

Lack of appreciation for the benefit granted by a benefactor.

Question 36

Define irony.

Answer 36

The lowering of oneself below one’s state, usually in speech.

Question 37

Define adulation.

Answer 37

The use of speech whereby one flatters another.

Question 38

Define litigious.

Answer 38

Excessive desire or practice of taking someone to court.

Question 39

Define avarice.

Answer 39

Excessive desire to make and hold onto money and wealth.

Question 40

Give two related definitions for the vice of prodigality (also called wastefulness).

Answer 40

• Lack of sufficient desire to hold onto one’s money, or
• The excessive use of something outside of what is necessary.