Our arrival into this world as innocents is accompanied by breast milk and a bevy of admonitions…do’s & don’ts! ’Thou Shalt Not This’ and, definitely ‘Thou Shalt Not That.’
As youths rained down, there were all so many puddles of sin to avoid. I was doing well until I was cautioned to avoid the 7 Deadly Sins. Committing any of these would ensure that the flames of hell would engulf me eternally. More puddles to avoid!
But wait just a minute! Considered in the proper light, one with a soft gel, the list was rather intriguing…avoid or embrace? Might they not also be a veritable potpourri of earthly delights to pursue?
The seven sins, or so they say,
Will lead you straight to Hell’s buffet.
A frightful lot, this gaggle of vice,
But frankly, some seem rather nice.
Pride! Does Pride always ‘cometh before fall?’ Not so! Any characteristic taken to excess may be a vice, but in moderation, perhaps a virtue. Pride in one’s accomplishments, in one’s appearance, and in one’s good deeds is admirable, to be applauded with aplomb. So, don’t shrink…stand tall!
Greed…the insatiable accumulation of wealth! We live in a world with extremes of riches and poverty. Some choose to share their good fortune. Others, sadly, find comfort in avarice, surrounding themselves in the trappings of luxury. Finally, all of our credit cards will expire.
Lust is one of mankind’s perennial favorites. Who among us does not lust for those possessions we cannot have…just out of our reach. Lust is more than sexual desire. One can lust for many things only to find the chase, however exhausting, disappointing at the end. Do you lust to conquer Everest? Possess the Mona Lisa? Live in Beverly Hills? How limiting would our entertainment be, were it not for stories of lust, characters driven by energies of uncontrolled wantonness.
Lust, you scandal-wielding knave,
Forever bold, forever brave!
With fiery glance and bedroom grin,
You lead the pious into sin.
But though you make the night a pleasure,
The morning light reveals displeasure.
Envy! Given its cousins, Greed and Pride, envy presents itself as a close relation. Who does not covet his neighbor’s greener lawn, larger home or 5-Star vacation. We stare with green eyes, wondering, ‘why them…why not me?’ Where is it written that life must roll sevens for each of us? Sadly, the throw of two six-sided dice will randomly produce snake-eyes. It is easier to accept that there will always be someone wealthier, prettier, or more talented.
Gluttony! An extra dinner roll or piece of chocolate. I mean, who will know, who will care. It’s only a few extra pounds and Ozempic will Houdini them away. We once had a President who tipped the scales over 300 pounds and beauty was a synonym for voluptuousness, Bacchanals were evenings of food and drink, weight be damned. They were called ‘the good ol’ days!’
Gluttony, the most divine,
A sinful joy at every dine.
Feast on cake, then guzzle wine,
And cry, “One more, I’ll be just fine!”
But soon my belt is stretched so wide,
My tummy wobbled side to side.
Wrath! These days our world is overflowing with anger at conceivably everything in our path. Road rage! Lazy dog owners! Rude waiters and ruder diners. Veins pop; ulcers rage! Where has the ‘layback, drop out’ generation gone. They became teenagers and jobs that lacked satisfaction. Chill, baby, chill. Wrath can kill you.
Sloth! Why is the loveable tree-hugging sloth compared with terrible personal habits and hygiene forgotten somewhere in the bowels of history. Sloth-like humans deserve our empathy…sitting around the house, binging on junk food while watching mindless pap. Let others exercise…I’m too tired. Besides I’d rather microwave some popcorn and watch Jeopardy.
And so, the moral, if there is one, lies in our final ditty:
Seven sins, both great and small,
And yet, we like them, after all!
For vices make us warm and human,
While virtues often lack acumen.
So sin a little, laugh a lot,
Just mind the fire…it’s rather hot!