Reply Obj. 3:  Just as in natural things we do not ask what always happens, but what happens most frequently, for the reason that the nature of corruptible things can be hindered, so as not always to act in the same way; so also in moral matters, we consider what happens in the majority of cases, not what happens invariably, for the reason that the will does not act of necessity.  So when we say that covetousness is the root of all evils, we do not assert that no other evil can be its root, but that other evils more frequently arise therefrom, for the reason given. ________________________

SECOND ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 84, Art. 2]

Whether Pride Is the Beginning of Every Sin?

Objection 1:  It would seem that pride is not the beginning of every sin.  For the root is a beginning of a tree, so that the beginning of a sin seems to be the same as the root of sin.  Now covetousness is the root of every sin, as stated above (A. 1).  Therefore it is also the beginning of every sin, and not pride.

Obj. 2:  Further, it is written (Ecclus. 10:14):  “The beginning of the pride of man is apostasy [Douay:  ‘to fall off’] from God.”  But apostasy from God is a sin.  Therefore another sin is the beginning of pride, so that the latter is not the beginning of every sin.

Obj. 3:  Further, the beginning of every sin would seem to be that which causes all sins.  Now this is inordinate self-love, which, according to Augustine (De Civ.  Dei xiv), “builds up the city of Babylon.”  Therefore self-love and not pride, is the beginning of every sin.

On the contrary, It is written (Ecclus. 10:15):  “Pride is the beginning of all sin.”

I answer that, Some say pride is to be taken in three ways.  First, as denoting inordinate desire to excel; and thus it is a special sin.  Secondly, as denoting actual contempt of God, to the effect of not being subject to His commandment; and thus, they say, it is a generic sin.  Thirdly, as denoting an inclination to this contempt, owing to the corruption of nature; and in this sense they say that it is the beginning of every sin, and that it differs from covetousness, because covetousness regards sin as turning towards the mutable good by which sin is, as it were, nourished and fostered, for which reason covetousness is called the “root”; whereas pride regards sin as turning away from God, to Whose commandment man refuses to be subject, for which reason it is called the “beginning,” because the beginning of evil consists in turning away from God.

Now though all this is true, nevertheless it does not explain the mind of the wise man who said (Ecclus. 10:15):  “Pride is the beginning of all sin.”  For it is evident that he is speaking of pride as denoting inordinate desire to excel, as is clear from what follows (verse 17):  “God hath overturned the thrones of proud princes”; indeed this is the point of nearly the whole chapter.  We must therefore say that pride, even as denoting