Summa Theologiae Moralis, vol. I: De Principiis

S. Th. II-II, q. 36 and 158; de Malo q. 10 and 12.

507. Envy is the inordinate sadness about the good of another, esteemed as one's own evil, inasmuch as that good seems to diminish one's own excellence. Which of itself can also be mortal, as being directly against charity, because just as charity rejoices in the good of neighbor, so envy is saddened by it (cf. tr. on Charity). It is principally about those goods in which there is glory and in which men love to be honored and to be in opinion, such as dignities, magistracies, insignia of titles, riches, beauty, ornament, celebrity of name, eloquence, learning, friendships, piety, virtues, etc. especially wisdom and happiness; but this sin is wont to be found especially among the ambitious and women, and among those who are in some way equal, or at least in some approach, as e.g. in condition, knowledge, virtue, etc.: for such wish to be equal to one another or to be preferred.

508. From envy five sins generally arise, because it endeavors to do something against neighbor. In this that it endeavors to do, there is something as it were beginning and principle, something as means, and something as end. The principle is that one intend to diminish the glory of another, which is done secretly by whispering, openly by detraction. The means is that he who wishes to diminish the glory of another, either can and then is born exultation in adversities, i.e. joy in the evils of neighbor; or cannot and then arises affliction in prosperities, which is not envy itself, but its daughter, when the prosperities of neighbor happen against the endeavor of the envious one who strives to impede them. Finally the end is in the very hatred of neighbor, for as delight causes love, so sadness causes hatred.

509. Anger is the inordinate appetite of vengeance. It is called inordinate, because anger of itself is not evil but indifferent, as being a passion; whence to desire vengeance according to right reason, as e.g. that another be corrected, that the order of justice be preserved, that reason may execute justice more strongly, that others be terrified, is good and praiseworthy (cf. tr. on Temperance).

Anger can be evil in two ways: 1) on the part of the object a) by desiring unjust vengeance on him who did not deserve it, or beyond what he deserved; b) by desiring vengeance not according to legitimate order, but to be carried out by one's own authority; c) by desiring it not for the due end, but as e.g. from hatred that one may satisfy the evil of one's own soul. This anger of itself is mortal, because it is contrary to charity and justice, although it admits lightness of matter, if the vengeance is small. — 2) On the part of the manner anger is evil, if it is too ardent interiorly, or is manifested too much exteriorly. This of itself is venial, because it is a mere excess of an indifferent thing; yet it becomes mortal because of an effect prohibited under grave matter, such as scandal, blasphemy, notable detriment of health, etc.

It is to be noted however that anger is not necessarily inordinate because it is great, but because it is too great; whence a vehement movement is good provided it is proportioned to the quality of the fault, the condition of the sinner, and other circumstances, as is evident in Christ driving the traders from the temple.

510. From anger six sins more commonly arise. — Insofar as it is in the heart, from it are born 1) indignation against the man against whom one is angry, while he considers him unworthy to have done him such injury; and 2) swelling of mind by which the angry man fills his soul, meditating and devising various means of vengeance; — insofar as it is in the mouth, from it arise 3) clamor or the inordinate and confused speech by which man shows his anger in words, 4) blasphemy by which he bursts forth into words injurious to God, and 5) contumely or injurious speech against neighbor; — insofar as it proceeds even to deed 6) from it arise quarrels, by which name are comprehended all harms such as woundings, homicides, beatings, etc. which are inflicted on neighbors in anger.