VANA GLORIA. — Whereas to desire glory is to will the manifestation of one’s own good or excellence (which is not in itself evil, as Jesus Christ Himself affirmed in clear words, Mt. 5:16), one has V. g.: a) when glory is sought in things that are not worthy of glory or do not deserve as much of it as is sought, e.g., in evil things or in goods one does not possess; b) when glory is sought among persons of little esteem because of poor judgment or scant personal qualities; c) when glory is sought solely for personal satisfaction, to the exclusion of the right end, which is the honor of God and the good of one’s neighbor (Sum. Theol., 2a-2ae, q. 132, a. 1).
V. g. is a venial sin when no gravely sinful circumstances are involved. It would therefore be a mortal sin to seek glory in something gravely sinful (ibid., 2a-2ae, q. 132, a. 3). From V. g., which according to s. Gregorio M. (Moralia, XXXI, cap. 45: PL 76, 621) and s. Tommaso (Sum. Theol., 2a-2ae, q. 132, a. 5 c.) is a capital vice, various vices derive; namely: a) iatanza or boasting in words; b) the invention of novelties in true matters, capable, however, of arousing admiration; c) hypocrisy in false matters; d) obstinacy or stubbornness in one’s own ideas; e) discord; f) contention or quarrelling; g) disobedience. To these vices, others add curiosity, which is the disordered desire to know.