# Is there a list of things, opposite of the 7 deadly sins? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 28, 2005, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-things-opposite-of-the-7-deadly-sins/323907 "2005-09-28T20:08:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BluePitbull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@BluePitbull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BluePitbull)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-things-opposite-of-the-7-deadly-sins/323907/1 "2005-09-28T20:08:45Z")
Or is it just the 7 deadly sins. And why seven is so important? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-things-opposite-of-the-7-deadly-sins/323907/2 "2005-09-28T20:13:03Z")
The [seven cardinal and contrary virtues](http://atheism.about.com/library/glossary/western/bldef_sevenvirtues.htm). > [@](#): > > Definition: > In addition to the four “cardinal virtues” of prudence, fortitude, justice and temperance some Christian theologians promoted the idea of three “theological” virtues, faith hope and love. Together, they make up the sevel cardinal or heavenly virtues. > > The first four can be traced back to Greek philosophers and Christian theologians readily adopted them, arguing that they were applicable to all humans, Christian or otherwise. The final three developed out of Christian theological work, but in particular from the writings of Paul in the New Testament. They were not applied to all humans because theologians thought that they were not naturally a part of human character due to the Fall into sin. Instead, they came directly from God after one is baptized. > > There are also seven “contrary” virtues: humility, kindness, abstinence, chastity, patience, generosity, and diligence. They are called “contrary” because each one stands in direct opposition to one of the seven deadly sins. It is believed that a conscious attempt to cultivate these virtues will help a person avoid their contrary sins: humility is opposed to pride, kindness is opposed to envy, abstinence is opposed to gluttony, chastity is opposed to lust, patience is opposed to anger, generosity is opposed to greed, and diligence is opposed to sloth. Yes, it’s from an atheist site, but the description is accurate, AFAIK, as well as nicely concise. Seven was a mystic number throughout ancient cultures. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-things-opposite-of-the-7-deadly-sins/323907/3 "2005-09-28T20:25:16Z")
Also, the [The Seven Deadly Virtues](http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/camelot/sevendeadlyvirtues.htm), sung by Mordred in “Camalot.” ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-things-opposite-of-the-7-deadly-sins/323907/4 "2005-09-28T20:32:35Z")
Why are abstinence and chastity considered different virtues? ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-things-opposite-of-the-7-deadly-sins/323907/5 "2005-09-28T20:42:33Z")
Well, there’s **Galations 5:22-23** > [@](#): > > But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-things-opposite-of-the-7-deadly-sins/323907/6 "2005-09-28T20:45:01Z")
> [@CynicalGabe](#): > > Why are abstinence and chastity considered different virtues? One can be abstinent from things other than sex. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-things-opposite-of-the-7-deadly-sins/323907/7 "2005-09-28T21:07:24Z")
Also, chastity does not mean abstaining from sex. A chaste person, under the ecclesiastical definition, has sex only as appropriate, i.e., within marriage. ---
**Author:** ![wolfstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-things-opposite-of-the-7-deadly-sins/323907/8 "2005-09-28T22:15:06Z")
How about the [beatitudes](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02371a.htm)? > [@](#): > > Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. > Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land. > Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. > Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. > Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. > Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. > Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. > Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.