<P> While the seven deadly sins as we know them did not originate with the Greeks or Romans, there were ancient precedents for them . Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics lists several positive, healthy human qualities, excellences, or virtues . Aristotle argues that for each positive quality there are two negative vices that are found on each extreme of the virtue . Courage, for example, is the human excellence or virtue in facing fear and risk . Excessive courage makes one rash, while a deficiency of courage makes one cowardly . This principle of virtue found in the middle or "mean" between excess and deficiency is Aristotle's notion of the golden mean . Aristotle lists virtues like courage, temperance or self - control, generosity, "greatness of soul," proper response to anger, friendliness, and wit or charm . </P> <P> Roman writers like Horace extolled the value of virtue while listing and warning against vices . His first epistles says that "to flee vice is the beginning of virtue, and to have got rid of folly is the beginning of wisdom ." </P> <P> The modern concept of the seven deadly sins is linked to the works of the fourth - century monk Evagrius Ponticus, who listed eight evil thoughts in Greek as follows: </P> <Ol> <Li> Γαστριμαργία (gastrimargia) gluttony </Li> <Li> Πορνεία (porneia) prostitution, fornication </Li> <Li> Φιλαργυρία (philargyria) avarice </Li> <Li> Ὑπερηφανία (hyperēphania) pride--sometimes rendered as self - overestimation </Li> <Li> Λύπη (lypē) sadness--in the Philokalia, this term is rendered as envy, sadness at another's good fortune </Li> <Li> Ὀργή (orgē) wrath </Li> <Li> Κενοδοξία (kenodoxia) boasting </Li> <Li> Ἀκηδία (akēdia) acedia--in the Philokalia, this term is rendered as dejection </Li> </Ol>

When did the 7 deadly sins come about