¹ There are eight principal vices that plunge man into destruction: gluttony, fornication, greed, wrath, sorrow, sloth, vainglory, and pride.

² Regarding the need to restrain gluttony, it is said: “Do not be deceived by the fullness of the belly.”

³ Regarding fornication: “Fornicators and adulterers God will judge”.

⁴ Regarding greed, it is written: “The love of money is the root of all evils”.

⁵ Regarding wrath: “Whoever is angry with his brother shall be liable to the hell of fire”.

⁶ Regarding sorrow: “Worldly sorrow produces death”.

⁷ Regarding sloth: “Idleness has taught much evil.”

⁸ Regarding vainglory: “The stench of him who magnifies his works will rise.”

⁹ Regarding pride: “God resists the proud”, and “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled”.

¹⁰ These, then, are the origins and causes of all evils, and they must be healed through their opposites.

¹¹ Gluttony must be conquered in three ways: through fasting from the ninth hour to the ninth hour, through moderation, and through the lowliness of food.

¹² Fornication and all impurity should not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints, and must be overcome through chastity and careful, ever-watchful self-restraint.

¹³ Greed is overcome by owning nothing personally and possessing all things in common.

¹⁴ Wrath must be subdued by patience and gentle meekness.

¹⁵ Sorrow must be conquered by spiritual joy and the hope of future beatitude.

¹⁶ The instability of sloth must be corrected through steadfast meekness and the stability of dwelling in one place, as Scripture says: “If the spirit of one who has authority rises against you, do not leave your place”.

¹⁷ Vainglory, unclean arrogance, and pride are overcome by true humility and contrition of heart through the fear of God.