Some bad habits arrive alone. Others bring an entire entourage.

Aquinas calls these “capital vices”—the vices that lead the others. Lust, he argues, is one of them.

Why does one compromise make the next one easier? Why does losing hope often make lustful temptation harder to resist? And why do certain desires seem to pull other bad decisions in behind them?

This episode explores the relationship between lust, hope, and despair, and why some struggles refuse to stay contained. According to Aquinas, certain vices act less like isolated mistakes and more like ringleaders.Read the relevant article of the Summa here:

Summa Theologica. Part 2 of 2. Question 153. Article 4. Whether lust is a capital vice?

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit realmsandroads.substack.com/subscribe