SINS 7

 

The list was published by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in his weekly newspaper Young India on 22 October 1925. An almost identical list had been published six months earlier in England in a sermon at Westminster Abbey by Fredrick Lewis Donaldson. Gandhi wrote that a correspondent whom he called a "fair friend" had sent the list: "The... fair friend wants readers of Young India to know, if they do not already, the following seven social sins,"^[1] (the list was then provided). After the list, Gandhi wrote that "Naturally, the friend does not want the readers to know these things merely through the intellect but to know them through the heart so as to avoid them." This was the entirety of Gandhi's commentary on the list when he first published it.

The seven social sins, famously articulated by Mahatma Gandhi, are:

• .... Wealth without work, 

• .... Pleasure without conscience, 

• .... Knowledge without character, 

• .... Commerce without morality, 

• .... Science without humanity, 

• .... Religion without sacrifice, and 

• .... Politics without principle. 

These "sins" are considered social failings because they describe areas where human endeavor can be corrupted without the foundational values of integrity, conscience, morality, humanity, sacrifice, and principle. 

Wealth without work: Gaining wealth without contributing to society, such as through manipulating markets or avoiding fair taxation. 

Pleasure without conscience: Pursuing enjoyment without regard for the consequences or the impact on others. 

Knowledge without character: Acquiring knowledge or skills without the ethical or moral foundation to use them responsibly, leading to potentially harmful outcomes. 

Commerce without morality: Engaging in business practices that exploit workers, create false needs, or ignore ethical principles for profit. 

 Science without humanity: Developing and using technology without considering its impact on human dignity, welfare, or the broader good. 

 Religion without sacrifice: Practicing religion in a way that is devoid of commitment, self-denial, or a willingness to act on one's faith. 

Politics without principle: Participating in politics for personal gain, power, or to stoke division, rather than for the public good.