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The Meaning of Catholic

Uniting Catholics against the enemies of Holy Church

Against the vice of curiosity

St. Thomas defines the vice of curiosity as “when a man is withdrawn by a less profitable study from a study that is an obligation incumbent on him” (ST II-II q167 a1). Fr. Ripperger defines it as “Inordinate desire for useless or profane knowledge.” The opposite vice is negligence, defined as “lack of due solicitude” (ST II-II q54 a1) elaborated by Prummer as “the voluntary omission of knowledge essential to one’s state and condition of life.”[1] So we have curiosity which is an excessive desire for knowledge, and negligence, which is not enough desire for knowledge.

The virtue and mean is studiousness, which is “the virtue in which one pursues knowledge according to one’s state in life” (Ripperger, op. cit). Each state of life has duties and those duties require knowledge. The first duty of every state is to know the faith essentials for your salvation and then those practical matters particular to your state.

As any parent has the duty to protect their children, they must take care to have some knowledge about the world of politics both secular and ecclesiastical. This helps us to develop the virtue of caution in this crisis, which is necessary to protect our children. However, it is not incumbent upon any parent to delve completely into the endless research of these doubtful matters, since it creates a danger of curiosity, in which a parent will forsake the duties of their state in life. Therefore, let the reader beware of curiosity and not be taken by fables and endless genealogies, which furnish questions rather than the edification of God which is in faith (I Tim. i. 4). Or again the Holy Ghost declares:

Seek not the things that are too high for thee, and search not into things above thy ability: but the things that God hath commanded thee, think on them always, and in many of his works be not curious. For it is not necessary for thee to see with thy eyes those things that are hid. In unnecessary matters be not over curious, and in many of his works thou shalt not be inquisitive. For many things are shewn to thee above the understanding of men. And the suspicion of them hath deceived many, and hath detained their minds in vanity (Ecclus. iii. 22ff).

Knowledge of the history and nature of the crisis can be good for the faithful to properly respond, but we must also realize that much of this evil will remain hidden from us and known only to God. Take what is helpful to know for the duties of your state, and leave the rest to God.

—

[1]Prummer, no. 527, p. 238

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ken Poole says

    August 5, 2020 at 5:00 pm

    Should I take this to mean that watching shows on Fox News like Hannity, Tucker and Ingram are not healthy?

    Reply
    • TimothyF says

      August 5, 2020 at 5:07 pm

      It depends on what amount you are consuming in relation to the duties of your state in life.

      Reply

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meaningofcathThe Meaning of Catholic@meaningofcath·
9 Feb

It is time to create an English language version of "Dieu, le Roi" and "Viva Christo Rey!"

JESUS IS KING!

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meaningofcathThe Meaning of Catholic@meaningofcath·
9 Feb

It is time to create an English language version of "Dieu, le Roi" and "Viva Christo Rey!"

JESUS IS KING!

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meaningofcathThe Meaning of Catholic@meaningofcath·
9 Feb

#CatholicTwitter: Please help! This is my ***BURNING QUESTION*** for all IRISH historians or anyone well read on the subject!

PLEASE RT!

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meaningofcathThe Meaning of Catholic@meaningofcath·
8 Feb

#CatholicTwitter: I am in desperate need of contact with an orthodox Catholic who is a historian of Ireland or at least well read in Irish history. Can anyone help me?

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VendeeRadioVendée Radio@VendeeRadio·
21 Jan

1/ We have to take back the Roman Empire or its ruins. We love them.
We love Notre Dame de Paris and will rebuild it as many times as needed.
Even more Christendom. Society. We must determine the fashions. We must be the champions. The revolution is a pack of losers and fools

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