Whether the seven capital vices are suitably reckoned?

❌ Objection 1 : It would seem that we ought not to reckon seven capital vices, viz. vainglory, envy, anger, sloth, covetousness, gluttony, lust. For sins are opposed to virtues. But there are four principal virtues, as stated above (Question [61], Article [2]). Therefore there are only four principal or capital vices.

❌ Objection 2 : Further, the passions of the soul are causes of sin, as stated above (Question [77]). But there are four principal passions of the soul; two of which, viz. hope and fear, are not mentioned among the above sins, whereas certain vices are mentioned to which pleasure and sadness belong, since pleasure belongs to gluttony and lust, and sadness to sloth and envy. Therefore the principal sins are unfittingly enumerated.

❌ Objection 3 : Further, anger is not a principal passion. Therefore it should not be placed among the principal vices.

❌ Objection 4 : Further, just as covetousness or avarice is the root of sin, so is pride the beginning of sin, as stated above (Article [2]). But avarice is reckoned to be one of the capital vices. Therefore pride also should be placed among the capital vices.

❌ Objection 5 : Further, some sins are committed which cannot be caused through any of these: as, for instance, when one sins through ignorance, or when one commits a sin with a good intention, e.g. steals in order to give an alms. Therefore the capital vices are insufficiently enumerated.