Joshua Bennett
The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, are a set of ancient Christian teachings that are memorized and revered by Catholics. The Tenth Commandment, Thou shalt not covet, is considered the climax of the Law, emphasizing the importance of controlling one's desires and feelings in accordance with reason and virtue. This commandment challenges modern culture's focus on materialism and encourages followers to renounce worldly goods and instead seek spiritual wealth, highlighting the holistic unity of body and soul in human beings.
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What You'll Learn
The Tenth Commandment is the climax of the Law
The Ten Commandments, or the Decalogue, are a set of moral and religious principles that are revered and practised by those of Judeo-Christian heritage, including Catholics. The Decalogue is considered a natural law, applicable to all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation.
The Tenth Commandment is considered the climax of the Law, as it reveals God's primary concern with the human condition. It is not just human action that is important, but the human agent—the intrinsic nature of God's people. This commandment challenges traditional notions of morality, which often focus solely on actions.
In Catholic ethics, an agent-based approach is taken, where good actions are not enough; being a good person is also essential. This is reflected in the Catechism, which emphasises that God demands we control the way we feel and that our actions and desires are integrally linked.
The Tenth Commandment finds its fulfilment in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus reveals the way to controlling desire: "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Mt. 6:21). This passage highlights the need to train ourselves to desire the right things in the right way. It is not about suppressing desire, but expressing it appropriately, as per Aquinas' virtue ethics.
The Tenth Commandment is particularly challenging in today's world, where advertisements and consumer culture constantly encourage us to want more and better things. Jesus's invitation to follow him is an invitation to renounce these worldly desires and find happiness in a different way.
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It reveals God's concern for human agents
The Tenth Commandment in the Catholic tradition is typically understood as a prohibition against coveting or desiring the possessions, position, or attributes of another person. This commandment is rooted in the Book of Exodus in the Bible and is part of the moral framework that God establishes for his people. By instructing his followers not to covet, God reveals his concern for the well-being of human agents and the societal fabric that binds them.
Firstly, the commandment recognizes the inherent dignity of individuals and their possessions. God acknowledges that each person has their own unique set of belongings, talents, and circumstances. By prohibiting covetousness, God emphasizes that we should respect the boundaries and possessions of others. This respect is fundamental to maintaining peaceful and just relationships within society. It fosters an attitude of contentment and gratitude for our own blessings rather than a constant desire for what others have.
Secondly, the Tenth Commandment underscores God's concern for the integrity of human relationships. Coveting often leads to destructive behaviors such as jealousy, envy, and resentment. These negative emotions can strain relationships, foster competition, and even lead to conflict and violence. By prohibiting coveting, God encourages his followers to cultivate positive attitudes towards one another, promoting harmony and mutual support within communities. This commandment helps to create a social environment where people can trust and rely on each other without feeling threatened by envy or greed.
Additionally, this commandment reflects God's understanding of the human condition and the potential pitfalls of desire. Coveting can lead individuals down a path of self-destruction, as they may engage in unethical or immoral behavior to obtain what they desire. God, in his wisdom, recognizes that unchecked desires can lead to harmful actions and detrimental consequences. By instructing his followers to refrain from coveting, God guides them towards a path of virtue and self-control, protecting them from the harmful effects of uncontrolled desires.
Furthermore, the Tenth Commandment also reveals God's concern for the equitable distribution of resources and the prevention of social injustice. Coveting can lead to a disregard for fairness and justice, as individuals may seek to acquire possessions or positions at the expense of others. By prohibiting coveting, God promotes a sense of solidarity and shared responsibility within society. He encourages his followers to recognize the needs of others and work towards a more just distribution of resources, rather than hoarding or seeking personal gain at the expense of the less fortunate.
Finally, this commandment underscores God's desire for human flourishing and contentment. By instructing his followers not to covet, God guides them towards a mindset of gratitude and appreciation for what they have. Contentment and gratitude are essential for a peaceful and fulfilling life. When individuals focus on coveting what others have, they may fail to recognize and appreciate the blessings in their own lives. God, in his love and wisdom, wants his followers to experience true and lasting happiness, which comes from contentment and a grateful heart.
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It is fulfilled in the Sermon on the Mount
The Tenth Commandment in Catholicism is often interpreted as a commandment against coveting one's neighbour's wife, as well as their possessions more broadly. This is based on the belief that covetousness can lead to a trespassing of all the Ten Commandments.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the Tenth Commandment finds its fulfilment in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus reveals the way to controlling desire: "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Mt. 6:21). This is because we cannot simply will ourselves to feel a certain way or to have our "heart be right". Instead, we must train ourselves to desire the right things in the right way.
Jesus invites his disciples to prefer him above everything and everyone and to renounce all that they have for his sake and that of the Gospel. This is an invitation to renounce the goods of this world and to be poor in spirit, having a heart that desires the right sort of treasure. The Tenth Commandment, therefore, reminds us that human beings are a holistic unity of body and soul.
In Aquinas' virtue ethics, the Tenth Commandment is not about suppressing desire but about expressing it in a way that is appropriate to our human nature. Temperance gives us the power to control our sensitive appetite and bring it in line with reason. As rational beings, we should desire pleasures that are in accordance with reason, and temperance guides us towards these pleasures rather than those that are contrary to reason.
The Sermon on the Mount, therefore, fulfils the Tenth Commandment by revealing its true meaning and providing guidance on how to live it out. It is not enough to simply follow the letter of the law, but we must also be good people, controlling the way we feel and expressing our desires appropriately.
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It challenges the way we think about morality
The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, are a set of moral and religious principles that are central to the Catholic faith, as well as other Judeo-Christian traditions. The Tenth Commandment, in particular, stands out as it challenges conventional notions of morality and the relationship between actions and desires.
The Tenth Commandment, as interpreted by Catholic theology, is not solely concerned with human actions but places a greater emphasis on the intrinsic nature of human agents, or who God's people are. This perspective contrasts with action-based theories of morality, such as utilitarian and deontological ethics, and instead aligns with an agent-based approach, exemplified by Catholic ethics. According to the Catechism, performing good actions is not enough; being a good person is also essential. This commandment, therefore, prompts individuals to reflect on their desires and feelings, challenging the common notion that emotions are beyond one's control.
Aquinas' virtue ethics provides insight into understanding the Tenth Commandment. It suggests that individuals possess the power to regulate their sensitive appetite and align it with reason, which is inherent in human nature. Temperance, according to Aquinas, does not suppress or eradicate desire but guides it towards expressions appropriate to our humanity. This perspective highlights the importance of desires that are in accordance with reason, fostering a holistic unity of body and soul.
The fulfillment of the Tenth Commandment is found in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus offers guidance on controlling desire. He invites his disciples to renounce worldly possessions and instead, prioritize their relationship with him and the Gospel. This shift in focus challenges individuals to reconsider their desires and treasure the right things in the right way. It underscores the importance of having the right sort of heart, which yearns for the right kind of treasure.
In today's world, the Tenth Commandment is especially challenging to uphold. The prevalent culture of consumerism and materialism often distracts individuals from focusing on their spiritual well-being. Advertisements constantly encourage people to want more and better things, leading to a cycle of desire and dissatisfaction. In such a context, Jesus' invitation to follow him becomes even more significant, as it calls for giving up worldly possessions and finding consolation in something greater than material abundance.
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It is about expressing desire in a human way
The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, are a set of moral and religious principles that are fundamental to the Judeo-Christian tradition, and Catholicism in particular. The Tenth Commandment, "Thou shalt not covet", is about expressing desire in a way that is appropriate to our human nature.
This commandment is not about suppressing desire, but rather about controlling and directing it towards the right objects and in the right manner. According to Aquinas' virtue ethics, temperance gives us the power to regulate our desires and bring them in line with reason. As rational beings, our desires should be guided by reason and directed towards pleasures that are in accordance with our nature as rational creatures.
The Tenth Commandment challenges the way we typically think about morality, which often focuses solely on actions. It emphasizes that God is concerned not only with what we do, but also with who we are as people. It calls us to examine our desires and ensure they are aligned with our spiritual and moral values.
The Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, provides insight into how we can control our desires. Jesus teaches his disciples to renounce worldly possessions and to prefer him above all else. This is not just about material poverty, but also about having the right attitude and desiring the right kind of treasure.
In today's consumerist culture, where advertisements constantly encourage us to want more and better things, it can be challenging to align our desires with our spiritual values. The Tenth Commandment invites us to reflect on our desires and ensure they do not become a distraction or replacement for God.
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Frequently asked questions
The Tenth Commandment is about controlling desire and how one feels. It is the climax of the Law, revealing its comprehensive scope. It is fulfilled in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus says, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Mt. 6:21).
Catholics view the Tenth Commandment as challenging the way we think about morality. It is not just about actions, but about human agents and who God's people are. It is about expressing desire in a way that is appropriate to our human nature.
Catholic ethics is an example of an agent-based approach to ethics, focusing on human agents rather than just actions. The Tenth Commandment aligns with this by emphasising the importance of being a good person, not just doing good actions.
