Reply Obj. 3:  In the various species of gluttony there are various motives, as stated. ________________________

QUESTION 73

OF THE COMPARISON OF ONE SIN WITH ANOTHER
(In Ten Articles)

We must now consider the comparison of one sin with another:  under which head there are ten points of inquiry: 

(1) Whether all sins and vices are connected with one another?

(2) Whether all are equal?

(3) Whether the gravity of sin depends on its object?

(4) Whether it depends on the excellence of the virtue to which it is opposed?

(5) Whether carnal sins are more grievous than spiritual sins?

(6) Whether the gravity of sins depends on their causes?

(7) Whether it depends on their circumstances?

(8) Whether it depends on how much harm ensues?

(9) Whether on the position of the person sinned against?

(10) Whether sin is aggravated by reason of the excellence of the person sinning? ________________________

FIRST ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 73, Art. 1]

Whether All Sins Are Connected with One Another?

Objection 1:  It would seem that all sins are connected.  For it is written (James 2:10):  “Whosoever shall keep the whole Law, but offend in one point, is become guilty of all.”  Now to be guilty of transgressing all the precepts of Law, is the same as to commit all sins, because, as Ambrose says (De Parad. viii), “sin is a transgression of the Divine law, and disobedience of the heavenly commandments.”  Therefore whoever commits one sin is guilty of all.

Obj. 2:  Further, each sin banishes its opposite virtue.  Now whoever lacks one virtue lacks them all, as was shown above (Q. 65, A. 1).  Therefore whoever commits one sin, is deprived of all the virtues.  Therefore whoever commits one sin, is guilty of all sins.

Obj. 3:  Further, all virtues are connected, because they have a principle in common, as stated above (Q. 65, AA. 1, 2).  Now as the virtues have a common principle, so have sins, because, as the love of God, which builds the city of God, is the beginning and root of all the virtues, so self-love, which builds the city of Babylon, is the root of all sins, as Augustine declares (De Civ.  Dei xiv, 28).  Therefore all vices and sins are also connected so that whoever has one, has them all.

On the contrary, Some vices are contrary to one another, as the Philosopher states (Ethic. ii, 8).  But contraries cannot be together in the same subject.  Therefore it is impossible for all sins and vices to be connected with one another.