PRIDEEvery individual has had a feeling of pride in their lives. Pride is defined as "reasonable self-esteem" or "confidence and satisfaction in oneself."
It is the state or feeling of being proud. A becoming or dignified sense of what is due to oneself or one's position or character; self-respect; self-esteem.
It is the pleasure or satisfaction taken in something done by or belonging to oneself, or believed to reflect credit upon oneself.
If it is positive, constructive or celebratory, but is kept in a proper sense of perspective, then pride is a good and helpful emotion; let's one know to be confident in one's best traits and abilities.
If pride is excessive and misplaced: it closes one's mind to the possibility that one is not perfect; or is taken to a point of demeaning or resenting others for lacking whatever it is one's proud of. Then pride will become arrogance; the love of one's own excellence.
The specific feeling through which egoism manifests. It may relate to one's own abilities or achievements; positive characteristics of friends or family.
It diminishes self-awareness. Like an arrogant leader who's always exaggerating his achievements to denigrate his rivals. Excessive pride is an exaggerated appreciation of oneself by devaluing others.
One can turn others like friends or family into competitors. A person must always be wary of this feeling. Because this feeling can result in overconfidence. And from overconfidence will eventually, almost always follow disaster.
GREED
Is an uncontrolled longing for increase in the acquisition or use of material gain; be it food, money, land, or animate or inanimate possessions; or social value, such as status or power. Greed has been identified as undesirable throughout known history; it creates behavior-conflict between personal and social goals with friends, family and co-workers.
The initial motivation for or purpose of greed and actions associated with it may be the promotion of personal or family survival. It may at the same time be an intent to deny or obstruct competitors from potential means like basic survival and comfort or future opportunities; therefore being insidious or tyrannical and having a negative connotation.
Alternatively, the purpose could be defense or counteractive response to such obstructions being threatened by others. But regardless of purpose, greed intends to create inequity of access or distributions to community wealth. The behavior in greed can also be seen in jealousy. Because from jealousy can manifest greed.
For example: being jealous of one others status, possessions or relationship can cause a sense of realization. And the danger from that realization awakens a strong desire to have. And when that "have" has become uncontrollable greed, that individual carries on, stopping at nothing to obtain what they so cravingly desire.
LUST
Lust is a primal and insidious force, characterized by an inordinate craving for pleasure, often manifesting as an excessive and unrelenting desire for sexual gratification. This sin corrupts an individual's rational faculties, impairing their ability to make sound judgments and leading them down a path of destructive behavior.
From a psychological perspective, Lust can be seen as a coping mechanism, a means of escaping the pressures and anxieties of everyday life. However, this temporary reprieve comes at a terrible cost, as the individual becomes increasingly enslaved to their desires.
The pursuit of fleeting pleasure soon supplants all other considerations, including relationships, career, and personal well-being. This heightened vulnerability can lead to exploitation and manipulation by others.
The physiological effects of Lust are equally devastating, hijacking the brain's reward system and releasing dopamine in response to even the slightest stimulus. This creates a vicious cycle of craving and satisfaction, often leading to addiction.
Strategically, Lust can be seen as a weakness, a chink in the armor of one's mental and emotional defenses. It can be exploited by adversaries seeking to gain an advantage and used as a tool for psychological manipulation and control.
Furthermore, Lust often masquerades as love, leading the afflicted to mistake intense passion for genuine emotional connection. This delusion can result in destructive relationships, marked by possessiveness, jealousy, and exploitation.
Ultimately, Lust is a corrosive force that, if left unchecked, can destroy lives and relationships. Recognizing the warning signs and taking proactive steps to mitigate its influence is crucial. Through self-awareness, discipline, and emotional intelligence, we can break free from Lust's shackles and cultivate a healthier, more balanced approach to human connection.
ENVY
Envy is a multifaceted emotion, often misconstrued as a desire to possess what others have. However, it is, in fact, a manifestation of our own perceived inadequacies. The envious individual is drawn not to the object itself, but to the perceived status, power, or prestige it confers.
This distinction reveals the true nature of envy: a reflexive response to our own feelings of inadequacy. Envy acknowledges a perceived disparity, a gap in one's own skills, resources, or influence. The envious individual seeks to rebalance this asymmetry, often driving them to improve themselves or their circumstances.
In this sense, envy can be a double-edged sword. While it can fuel ambition and motivation, it can also cloud judgment and lead to destructive behavior. Recognizing the underlying causes of envy is crucial to harnessing its potential for growth while avoiding its negative consequences.
GLUTTONY
Gluttony is a profound aberration of self-control, characterized by an individual's inability to regulate their desires and prioritize sustenance over indulgence. This failure of cognitive control can be attributed to an imbalance in neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which regulate pleasure, reward, and satiety.
As a result, the brain becomes increasingly desensitized to consumption stimuli, leading to an escalation of cravings. The pursuit of immediate gratification supersedes long-term consequences, and the individual becomes consumed by an all-encompassing need.
Gluttony can be seen as a maladaptive coping mechanism, a response to stress, anxiety, or emotional turmoil. The individual may resort to excessive consumption as a means of temporary escape or comfort, ultimately leading to the erosion of discipline, degradation of health, and loss of oneself.
The parallels between Gluttony and the pursuit of power are striking. Both involve an unrelenting drive, a breach of self-control, and a disregard for consequences. The consequences of Gluttony are manifold, affecting not only the individual but also their relationships and overall well-being.
WRATH
Wrath, also known as anger or rage, is an intense emotional state characterized by a strong, uncomfortable, and non-cooperative response to a perceived provocation, hurt, or threat. This emotion is often accompanied by physical effects, including increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and increased levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline.
When an individual experiences anger, it can become the predominant feeling, influencing their behavior, cognition, and physiology. In some cases, anger can serve as a functional response to a perceived threat, prompting the individual to take action to protect themselves or others.
However, uncontrolled anger can have devastating consequences, negatively impacting personal and social well-being, as well as the well-being of those around them. Chronic anger can lead to various physical and mental health issues, including increased stress, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease.
Moreover, anger can impair an individual's ability to think critically and make sound judgments, leading to mistaken perceptions and actions. The loss of self-monitoring capacity and objective observability can result in a distorted view of reality, further exacerbating the negative consequences of uncontrolled anger.
SLOTH
Sloth is a habitual disinclination to exertion, characterized by laziness, affectlessness, and a lack of feeling about oneself or others. This mind-state gives rise to boredom, rancor, apathy, and a passive, inert, or sluggish mentality.
Physically, Sloth manifests as a cessation of motion and an indifference to work, expressed through idleness, indolence, and a failure to undertake tasks or duties. This can be driven by an underlying fear of failure, leading individuals to delay or avoid responsibilities until stress and anxiety take over.
Emotionally and cognitively, Sloth is characterized by a lack of feeling for the world, others, or oneself. It involves an alienation of the sentient self from the world and from oneself, resulting in a lack of motivation to seek knowledge, self-improvement, or personal growth.
Sloth is thus the enemy of productivity, motivation, and meaningful work. It not only subverts an individual's livelihood and well-being but also hinders their righteous undertakings, leading to a path of ruin. By understanding the complexities of Sloth, we can better recognize its signs and symptoms, and take steps to overcome its debilitating effects.
