Seven Heavenly Virtues

In the Catholic catechism, the Seven Catholic Virtues refers to the union of two sets of virtues:
1) The four Cardinal virtues, from ancient Greek philosophy, are Prudence, Justice, Temperance (or Restraint), and Courage (or Fortitude).
2) The three Theological virtues, from the letters of St. Paul of Tarsus, are Faith, Hope, and Charity (or Love). These were adopted by the Church Fathers as the Seven Virtues.
 
The first virtues were identified by the Greek philosophers Aristotle and Plato, who regarded Temperance, Wisdom, Justice, and Courage as the four most desirable character traits. After the New Testament was written, these four virtues became known as the Cardinal virtues, while Faith, Hope and Charity were referred to as the Theological virtues.

A list of the Seven Heavenly Virtues - to oppose the Seven Deadly Sins - appeared later, in an epic poem entitled Psychomachia, or Battle of the Soul. Written by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, a Christian governor, who died around 410 A.D., it entails the battle between good virtues and evil vices. The enormous popularity of this work in the Middle Ages helped to spread the concept of holy virtue throughout Europe. The virtues are identified as Chastity, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Patience, Kindness, and Humility. Practicing them is said to protect one against temptation from the Seven deadly sins, each one having its counterpart. Due to this, they are sometimes referred to as the "Contrary virtues".

The Seven Deadly Sins
The “Seven Deadly Sins” are not in the Bible.  In 1213 A.D. Church add confession to the duties of the faithful.  Church encourages church members to consider the seven deadly sins.  The Seven Sins became institutionalized.
The Pope declared all priests of the Roman Catholic Church must be celibate (before marriage was an option).  The church’s purpose was to consolidate power – Pope Gregory did not want church property to be inherited by the sons of priests and bishops.  Celibacy resulted in a wholesale denunciation of sexuality and lust for all the faithful. The Church has become militantly anti-hedonistic, so that sexuality exists only for the sake of reproduction.  Anything beyond that is sinful.

For 1,000 years the medieval mind took a dark view of sexuality.  Lust had been demonized. The medieval mind believed in demons. That demons are not just metaphors, but real. That each sin could possess a person and the only way to get rid of possession was exorcism.
  Lucifer – Demon of Pride
  Asmodeus – Demon of Lust  (Asmodeus comes from a Persian pagan deity called ‘Aeshma Daeva’)
  Amon – Demon of Anger or Wrath
  Belphegor – Demon of Sloth

Lust
Lust is not an emotion but a drive (from very primitive parts of the brain).

Envy
Buddhists conceive of the Titans – always feeling inadequate; always feeling driven; nothing is ever good enough.  When they achieve it doesn’t feel like success.
Buddhist always emphasizes the optimistic side.  A healthy person is inspired to do good when he/she sees another producing a good result.  Or simply accepts the result and is neural to outdo it.
Buddhist sees envy as a dead end.  It is positive if it encourages others to improve themselves.  It is unhealthy when those who wish to take away.

Pride
Two types of Pride:
1) Authentic Pride (Genuine)
   • Productivity
   • Confidence
   • Accomplishments

2) Hubristic Pride (Bogus)
   • Arrogance
   • Egotism
   • Narcissism
   • Conceitedness

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