The seven Heavenly Principles or Virtues and vice is a concept that was born out of ideals in an epic poem named Psychomachia, or Battle/Contest of the Soul, which was written by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, a Christian governor who died around the time of 410 AD. It's a list of opposing qualities that contribute to grave sin or utter righteousness. The seven vices are: greed, pride, wrath, envy, sloth, lust, and gluttony. The seven virtues are: charity, humility, patience, satisfaction, diligence, abstinence, and charity. These are also known as the seven heavily virtues or principles. Although many philosophers don't accept the bible as truth they all agree that the seven virtues are like spiritual gold.
One who surrenders to vice will know only a second of evil relief, for self-destructive nature never yields a gain. Vice, in most instances, is believed to be born out of demonic principle. The seven demonic lords presiding over the vices are: Mammon, (greed,) lucifer, (pride,) Satan, (wrath,) leviathan, (envy,) Asmodeus, (lust,) Bephleghor, (sloth,) and Bezelbub (gluttony). Many of these are Jewish names or words, as Mammon means “riches.” These are all the behaviors that will make men and women fall. These are the deepest of all sins, and it is worth researching, personally, for each and every person. How much time do you spend in each of the vices each day? Some time? Little time? Too much time? You're results may be starling. Many of us spend more time than we should engaged in vice. We are all guilty of it, and we can only hope to replace our vice with virtue.
As for the virtues, each one leads us to peaceful mind and a clean conscience. Patience and satisfaction alone can eliminate many interpersonal conflicts. As for me, I ponder the virtue Satisfaction, (kindness.) I am constantly writing, and it is appealing to me. I wonder, am I satisfied where I am spiritually? Of course not. I want to be more spiritual. Is this a form of vice, in a spiritual nature? I am satisfied financially, as I live a quiet and comfortable life. I wish we could have a spiritual side of virtue and vice, each applying to non-physical means. How can I judge my life on a vice-versa scale when no physical vice exists? It's a real idea to ponder and expand upon. We do know that in the bible there is both physical and spiritual sin. In America and other predominantly Christian nations, the physical sin is played up but spiritual sin is all but a passing thought.
We all have things we can improve on in life, and many of those things do fall under vice. Many of us don't know of the vices, and spend too much time engaged in them. If we can all accept these principles of heavenly virtue, we can make everyone's life better. People are so quick to go to vice, but remember, those virtues are there for those who are the truly strong. The ideals presented in that dated, but brilliant, poem have inspired both religious devout and philosopher alike. They differ from the Catholic Church’s idea of virtue, which would be the four major virtues, Temperance, Justice, Courage, and Prudence, and the three minor virtues, Faith, Hope, and Charity. These are good, too, but I feel that the Seven Heavenly Princples are easier to understand because of their opposing values. Stick to the virtues, my friends, and become healthy, wealthy, and wise.
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