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The Seven Deadly Virtues: 18 Conservative Writers on Why the Virtuous Life is Funny as Hell
An all-star team of eighteen conservative writers offers a hilarious, insightful, sanctimony-free remix of William Bennett’s The Book of Virtues—without parental controls. The Seven Deadly Virtues sits down next to readers at the bar, buys them a drink, and an hour or three later, ushers them into the revival tent without them even realizing it.
The book’s contributors include Sonny Bunch, Christopher Buckley, David “Iowahawk” Burge, Christopher Caldwell, Andrew Ferguson, Jonah Goldberg, Michael Graham, Mollie Hemingway, Rita Koganzon, Matt Labash, James Lileks, Rob Long, Larry Miller, P. J. O’Rourke, Joe Queenan, Christine Rosen, and Andrew Stiles. Jonathan V. Last, senior writer at the Weekly Standard, editor of the collection, is also a contributor. All eighteen essays in this book are appearing for the first time anywhere.
In the book’s opening essay, P. J. O’Rourke observes: “Virtue has by no means disappeared. It’s as much in public view as ever. But it’s been strung up by the heels. Virtue is upside down. Virtue is uncomfortable. Virtue looks ridiculous. All the change and the house keys are falling out of Virtue’s pants pockets.”
Here are the virtues everyone (including the book’s contributors) was taught in Sunday school but have totally forgotten about until this very moment. In this sanctimony-free zone:
• Joe Queenan observes: “In essence, thrift is a virtue that resembles being very good at Mahjong. You’ve heard about people who can do it, but you’ve never actually met any of them.”
• P. J. O’Rourke notes: “Fortitude is quaint. We praise the greatest generation for having it, but they had aluminum siding, church on Sunday, and jobs that required them to wear neckties or nylons (but never at the same time). We don’t want those either.”
• Christine Rosen writes: “A fellowship grounded in sociality means enjoying the company of those with whom you actually share physical space rather than those with whom you regularly and enthusiastically exchange cat videos.”
• Rob Long offers his version of modern day justice: if you sleep late on the weekend, you are forced to wait thirty minutes in line at Costco.
• Jonah Goldberg offers: “There was a time when this desire-to-do-good-in-all-things was considered the only kind of integrity: ‘Angels are better than mortals. They’re always certain about what is right because, by definition, they’re doing God’s will.’ Gabriel knew when it was okay to remove a mattress tag and Sandalphon always tipped the correct amount.”
• Sonny Bunch dissects forbearance, observing that the fictional Two Minutes Hate of George Orwell’s 1984 is now actually a reality directed at living, breathing people. Thanks, in part, to the Internet, “Its targets are designated by a spontaneously created mob—one that, due to its hive-mind nature—is virtually impossible to call off.”
By the time readers have completed The Seven Deadly Virtues, they won’t even realize that they’ve just been catechized into an entirely different—and better—moral universe.
The book’s contributors include Sonny Bunch, Christopher Buckley, David “Iowahawk” Burge, Christopher Caldwell, Andrew Ferguson, Jonah Goldberg, Michael Graham, Mollie Hemingway, Rita Koganzon, Matt Labash, James Lileks, Rob Long, Larry Miller, P. J. O’Rourke, Joe Queenan, Christine Rosen, and Andrew Stiles. Jonathan V. Last, senior writer at the Weekly Standard, editor of the collection, is also a contributor. All eighteen essays in this book are appearing for the first time anywhere.
In the book’s opening essay, P. J. O’Rourke observes: “Virtue has by no means disappeared. It’s as much in public view as ever. But it’s been strung up by the heels. Virtue is upside down. Virtue is uncomfortable. Virtue looks ridiculous. All the change and the house keys are falling out of Virtue’s pants pockets.”
Here are the virtues everyone (including the book’s contributors) was taught in Sunday school but have totally forgotten about until this very moment. In this sanctimony-free zone:
• Joe Queenan observes: “In essence, thrift is a virtue that resembles being very good at Mahjong. You’ve heard about people who can do it, but you’ve never actually met any of them.”
• P. J. O’Rourke notes: “Fortitude is quaint. We praise the greatest generation for having it, but they had aluminum siding, church on Sunday, and jobs that required them to wear neckties or nylons (but never at the same time). We don’t want those either.”
• Christine Rosen writes: “A fellowship grounded in sociality means enjoying the company of those with whom you actually share physical space rather than those with whom you regularly and enthusiastically exchange cat videos.”
• Rob Long offers his version of modern day justice: if you sleep late on the weekend, you are forced to wait thirty minutes in line at Costco.
• Jonah Goldberg offers: “There was a time when this desire-to-do-good-in-all-things was considered the only kind of integrity: ‘Angels are better than mortals. They’re always certain about what is right because, by definition, they’re doing God’s will.’ Gabriel knew when it was okay to remove a mattress tag and Sandalphon always tipped the correct amount.”
• Sonny Bunch dissects forbearance, observing that the fictional Two Minutes Hate of George Orwell’s 1984 is now actually a reality directed at living, breathing people. Thanks, in part, to the Internet, “Its targets are designated by a spontaneously created mob—one that, due to its hive-mind nature—is virtually impossible to call off.”
By the time readers have completed The Seven Deadly Virtues, they won’t even realize that they’ve just been catechized into an entirely different—and better—moral universe.
202 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2014
19 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan V. Last
8 books46 followersJonathan V. Last is a senior writer at The Weekly Standard in Washington. His writings have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Post, The Claremont Review of Books, First Things, The Week, Salon, Slate, TV Guide, and elsewhere.
He lives in Virginia with his wife and two children.
He lives in Virginia with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 13, 2015
This was a funny read. Sometimes a mildly humorous, chuckle-to-yourself read, sometimes a belly laugh from-the-bottom-of-your-feet laugh, but delightful all the way around. But besides funny, it was insightful as a piece of cultural analysis. The most striking thing about its humor was its clean, self-deprecating, non-vicious poking of our cultural foibles. Unlike much left-leaning humor, it was not mocking, self-indulgent or vulgar. I appreciated the realistic and funny portrayals of Washington, its media elite as well as the Hollywood crowd. Highly recommended.
December 3, 2014
Jonathan V. Last, ed., The Seven Deadly Virtues: 18 Conservative Writers on Why the Virtuous Life Is Funny as Hell (West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton Press, 2014). Hardcover / Kindle
It is a vice to judge a book by its cover, but one that I’ll indulge in this instance. The book’s title and subtitle mislead. Its authors essay sixteen virtues, not seven (and none deadly), and while they do so hilariously, the funniness of the virtuous life is not the point of their essays. That said, The Seven Deadly Virtues is an insightful book, humorously written, and well worth reading.
The book divides into two sections. The first examines the traditional virtues, seven in number and divisible by two: prudence, justice, courage, and temperance are the cardinal virtues; faith, hope, and charity are the Christian virtues. The second looks into everyday virtues: chastity, simplicity, thrift, honesty, fellowship, forbearance, integrity, curiosity, and perseverance.
In the Introduction, Jonathan V. Last defines virtues as “the internal qualities that allow us to be our best selves and enable us to lead complete and fulfilling lives.” He warns against “extremism in the pursuit of virtue,” saying instead that virtue is “additive.” “No single virtue is sufficient in and of itself, and each one, taken on its own is corruptible. Yet each virtue becomes more valuable with the addition of others. And for any single virtue to be brought to its full bloom, it must be surrounded by its sisters.”
Picking favorites among the individual essays is difficult. How do you choose between P. J. O’Rourke and Christopher Buckley? Rob Long and Matt Labash? Andrew Ferguson and Jonah Goldberg? You don’t. You read, laugh, and learn.
Instead of picking a favorite, let me highlight Sonny Bunch, a younger, not-as-well-known author whose chapter, “Forbearance: Opting Out of the Politicized Life,” seems particularly apt for the politicized times in which we live.
The politicized life is “the growing, pernicious trend in American society where politics are injected into every moment of one’s existence.” For example, if you eat (or don’t) at Chick-Fil-A because you love (or hate) Truett Cathy’s support of traditional marriage rather than because of its delicious chicken sandwiches (not to mention peach shakes!), then you’re leading a politicized life.
Unfortunately, the Internet exacerbates the viciousness—in both senses—of politicization. “In real life,” Bunch points out, “you forbear those around you because you never know who thinks what, and forbearance makes it easier for the whole neighborhood to get along. There is diversity of thought, in part because no one really cares what the guy who lives next door thinks about marginal tax rates. But in virtual life, everyone in the self-selected group pretty much thinks the same way thing, about everything. And the occasional deviations become opportunities to enforce the communal norms, to show how super [serious] we all are about the righteousness of whichever cause binds the community together.” This politicized viciousness makes appearances on the social media of both the left and the right of the political spectrum, as both my Right and Left friends will quickly attest. (It’s easier to spot the lack of forbearance in those who differ from you online than in those who agree with you.)
Forbearance doesn’t mean avoiding politics, of course. (Avoidance isn’t possible, even apart from the ubiquity of social media, for the simple reason that politics is how we organize our common life, and you cannot avoid your neighbors.) Bunch writes: “there’s nothing wrong with standing up for your beliefs and attempting to persuade those with whom you disagree. But,” he goes on, “there’s a difference between having polite, rational discussions and declaring those with opposing views to be the enemy and, therefore, worthy of destruction, infamy, and impoverishment.” So, “the next time a Two Minutes Hate ramps up,” Bunch advises, “step away from your computer and get a cup of coffee. You’ll be a better person. And you’ll feel better too.” Yes, and amen!
If what Bunch has written resonates with the better angels of your nature, my guess is that you’ll both profit from and enjoy reading The Seven Deadly Virtues. Though written by conservatives (but not only for conservatives), the book contains insights that are widely applicable because appropriately wise.
P.S. If you found this review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
It is a vice to judge a book by its cover, but one that I’ll indulge in this instance. The book’s title and subtitle mislead. Its authors essay sixteen virtues, not seven (and none deadly), and while they do so hilariously, the funniness of the virtuous life is not the point of their essays. That said, The Seven Deadly Virtues is an insightful book, humorously written, and well worth reading.
The book divides into two sections. The first examines the traditional virtues, seven in number and divisible by two: prudence, justice, courage, and temperance are the cardinal virtues; faith, hope, and charity are the Christian virtues. The second looks into everyday virtues: chastity, simplicity, thrift, honesty, fellowship, forbearance, integrity, curiosity, and perseverance.
In the Introduction, Jonathan V. Last defines virtues as “the internal qualities that allow us to be our best selves and enable us to lead complete and fulfilling lives.” He warns against “extremism in the pursuit of virtue,” saying instead that virtue is “additive.” “No single virtue is sufficient in and of itself, and each one, taken on its own is corruptible. Yet each virtue becomes more valuable with the addition of others. And for any single virtue to be brought to its full bloom, it must be surrounded by its sisters.”
Picking favorites among the individual essays is difficult. How do you choose between P. J. O’Rourke and Christopher Buckley? Rob Long and Matt Labash? Andrew Ferguson and Jonah Goldberg? You don’t. You read, laugh, and learn.
Instead of picking a favorite, let me highlight Sonny Bunch, a younger, not-as-well-known author whose chapter, “Forbearance: Opting Out of the Politicized Life,” seems particularly apt for the politicized times in which we live.
The politicized life is “the growing, pernicious trend in American society where politics are injected into every moment of one’s existence.” For example, if you eat (or don’t) at Chick-Fil-A because you love (or hate) Truett Cathy’s support of traditional marriage rather than because of its delicious chicken sandwiches (not to mention peach shakes!), then you’re leading a politicized life.
Unfortunately, the Internet exacerbates the viciousness—in both senses—of politicization. “In real life,” Bunch points out, “you forbear those around you because you never know who thinks what, and forbearance makes it easier for the whole neighborhood to get along. There is diversity of thought, in part because no one really cares what the guy who lives next door thinks about marginal tax rates. But in virtual life, everyone in the self-selected group pretty much thinks the same way thing, about everything. And the occasional deviations become opportunities to enforce the communal norms, to show how super [serious] we all are about the righteousness of whichever cause binds the community together.” This politicized viciousness makes appearances on the social media of both the left and the right of the political spectrum, as both my Right and Left friends will quickly attest. (It’s easier to spot the lack of forbearance in those who differ from you online than in those who agree with you.)
Forbearance doesn’t mean avoiding politics, of course. (Avoidance isn’t possible, even apart from the ubiquity of social media, for the simple reason that politics is how we organize our common life, and you cannot avoid your neighbors.) Bunch writes: “there’s nothing wrong with standing up for your beliefs and attempting to persuade those with whom you disagree. But,” he goes on, “there’s a difference between having polite, rational discussions and declaring those with opposing views to be the enemy and, therefore, worthy of destruction, infamy, and impoverishment.” So, “the next time a Two Minutes Hate ramps up,” Bunch advises, “step away from your computer and get a cup of coffee. You’ll be a better person. And you’ll feel better too.” Yes, and amen!
If what Bunch has written resonates with the better angels of your nature, my guess is that you’ll both profit from and enjoy reading The Seven Deadly Virtues. Though written by conservatives (but not only for conservatives), the book contains insights that are widely applicable because appropriately wise.
P.S. If you found this review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
August 12, 2018
Very funny and insightful
Read
February 5, 2015As a long time proponent of Virtue Ethics, I found this an entertaining and refreshing take on the classical virtues in our modern society.Each virtue gets its own chapter. The first eight chapters cover an overview and then the seven Cardinal Virtues. The remainder of the chapters are on virtues that are often included in other lists referred to as The Everyday Virtues.
I guess if you wanted the thesis for the book, perhaps the best would be from page 11 of the introduction, by Jonathan V. Last:
"If you take anything from this book (other than the yucks), it should be that virtue is additive. No single virtue is sufficient in and of itself, and each one, taken on its own, is corruptible. Yet each virtue becomes more valuable with the addition of others. And for any single virtue to be brought to its full bloom, it must be surrounded by its sisters. Courage and prudence: Together they give people the spine to do great things. Integrity and forbearance: Without them, no society can function. Chastity and temperance: All right, let's not get carried away here. The point is, when a man cultivated the virtues as a class, then, and only then, does he become a man in full."
I guess if you wanted the thesis for the book, perhaps the best would be from page 11 of the introduction, by Jonathan V. Last:
"If you take anything from this book (other than the yucks), it should be that virtue is additive. No single virtue is sufficient in and of itself, and each one, taken on its own, is corruptible. Yet each virtue becomes more valuable with the addition of others. And for any single virtue to be brought to its full bloom, it must be surrounded by its sisters. Courage and prudence: Together they give people the spine to do great things. Integrity and forbearance: Without them, no society can function. Chastity and temperance: All right, let's not get carried away here. The point is, when a man cultivated the virtues as a class, then, and only then, does he become a man in full."
November 30, 2015
What a great collection of writers: Jonathan V. Last, P. J. O'Rourke, Andrew Ferguson, Rob Long, James Lileks, Joe Queenan, Jonah Goldberg, Christopher Caldwell, Christopher Buckley, and several more. Lileks on simplicity is superb, as is Matt Labash on Chastity, Andrew Stiles on Temperance, and Last on virtue in general. Some of the chapters (articles, really) seem to be tongue in cheek--is the writer really extolling his assigned virtue? And some only address their topic somewhat obliquely. But I would nevertheless heartily recommend this book as a look at virtues/traits/fruits sorely missing in today's society.
Read
February 3, 2015"While tolerating (nay, embracing!) diversity of race is one of the few remaining secular virtues--one not to be questioned, at any time, by anyone--tolerating diversity of opinion has become a rare beast indeed." p. 151 Sonny Bunch
December 6, 2014
Decent read. thought provoking. best consumed one essay at a time followed by some time reflecting on the message. Enjoyed the experience
February 4, 2015
Thought provoking commentary on properly understanding values and how our society often gets them upside down. The essays each hold their own worth and can be read independently.
April 17, 2015
Puts rest to the idea that conservatives are unfunny. Rob Long's and Mollie Hemingway's are particular standouts.
June 22, 2015
A great book on a great topic by some great authors.
The Seven Deadly virtues is a collection of essays by leading conservative authors on the traditional virtues, such as thrift, chastity, etc, and some moder virtues such as curiousity, integrity, and perseverance.
the authors include such classics as P.J. O'Rourke and Christopher Buckley, and new guy on the block David Burge, aka Iowahawk.
The Seven Deadly virtues is a collection of essays by leading conservative authors on the traditional virtues, such as thrift, chastity, etc, and some moder virtues such as curiousity, integrity, and perseverance.
the authors include such classics as P.J. O'Rourke and Christopher Buckley, and new guy on the block David Burge, aka Iowahawk.
September 26, 2020
"Despair and hope are both contagious, perhaps equally so. If we are going to face a global attitudinal epidemic, better one of hopeful expectation than the alternative." -David Burge (p. 71)
Great essays on chastity and simplicity. The editor has assembled some really good thinkers and writers for this collection.
Please go read this book. Thank me later. :)
Great essays on chastity and simplicity. The editor has assembled some really good thinkers and writers for this collection.
Please go read this book. Thank me later. :)
November 7, 2014
Enjoyed this collection of essays. A few are excellent and a few are less than interesting. But on the whole enjoyable with a few good thoughts and perspectives.
It's a look at a few key values and their place (or absence) in American society, all with a fair amount of humor mixed in.
It's a look at a few key values and their place (or absence) in American society, all with a fair amount of humor mixed in.
March 17, 2016
Except for one serious editing mistake, this is a super collection of interesting reflections on behavior. We don't talk much about individual virtues much anymore, but these essays do a great job of combining classic virtues with modern life, while keeping it very entertaining.
October 7, 2016
The first half of the book is quite coherent, yet the the second half is more difficult to understand, especially the essay about hoarding. The best part of the book would be the essay about perseverance, which is very inspiring for me.
May 18, 2018
Meh. Curmudgeon humor. "Funny as Hell" might be over-selling it a bit.
Checked it out because it had a Jonah Goldberg piece in it. I find him agreeable reading even when I don't agree with him.
Checked it out because it had a Jonah Goldberg piece in it. I find him agreeable reading even when I don't agree with him.
January 25, 2015
Funny, touching, and affirming. Uneven, with some writers being better than others. The chapters by PJ O'Rourke, Jonah Goldberg, and Larry Miller were among the highlights.
November 28, 2014
3.5 stars.
March 18, 2015
Parts were good, entertaining, informative. Much I had read already in the Weekly Standard, so that figures into my rating.
March 11, 2018
james lileks - good as always
February 1, 2016
A thoughtful read and I enjoyed being introduced to several new writers.
May 7, 2020
18 writers that fall under the broad banner of "conservative" and were connected to the now defunct Weekly Standard each take a chapter. For those who do not know such things, the traditional virtues are: Prudence, Justice, Courage, Temperance, Hope, Charity, and Faith. The second section of the book covers "The Everyday Virtues" which include Chastity, Simplicity, Thrift, Honesty, Fellowship, Forbearance, Integrity, Curiosity, and Perseverance.
The way in which each of the virtues are addressed is unique to each writer. The writers do not appear to have any uniform instructions or parameters on how to address their subject matter. This made for remarkably uneven coverage. I was dissatisfied with several of the essays, but enjoyed others. I would definitely not put this volume in the hands of someone who wanted to learn about the virtues because the authors are not always clear about definitions. I did not agree with or appreciate the way Labash addressed Chastity, Lileks interpreted Simplicity, and Queenan squandered his opportunity with Thrift.
The upside of the editors' decision is that found in these essays is some historical and literary insights, quotes, and fun to read storytelling.
A textbook it ain't. But, what it is though are writers trying to grapple with and apply ancient virtues to modern North American life.
The chapters I enjoyed the most were Last's "Introduction: On Virtues, Past and Present," Hemingway on Charity, Rosen on Fellowship, and Buckley on Perseverance.
The one essay I found most helpful and I would ask many people to read is Last's Introduction. Last presents our modern day virtues and their limitations and argues cogently that we need to return to the original virtues. The modern virtues are freedom, convenience, progress, equality, authenticity, health, nonjudgmentalism. Last says, "No, the modern virtues fail because, for the most part, they concern the outer self, the human facade, the part of ourselves that the world sees most readily - while the classical virtues form an organizing framework for our inner selves - for our souls, if you believe in that kind of thing." (p9)
An interesting read that can lead to self examination but probably not repentance.
The way in which each of the virtues are addressed is unique to each writer. The writers do not appear to have any uniform instructions or parameters on how to address their subject matter. This made for remarkably uneven coverage. I was dissatisfied with several of the essays, but enjoyed others. I would definitely not put this volume in the hands of someone who wanted to learn about the virtues because the authors are not always clear about definitions. I did not agree with or appreciate the way Labash addressed Chastity, Lileks interpreted Simplicity, and Queenan squandered his opportunity with Thrift.
The upside of the editors' decision is that found in these essays is some historical and literary insights, quotes, and fun to read storytelling.
A textbook it ain't. But, what it is though are writers trying to grapple with and apply ancient virtues to modern North American life.
The chapters I enjoyed the most were Last's "Introduction: On Virtues, Past and Present," Hemingway on Charity, Rosen on Fellowship, and Buckley on Perseverance.
The one essay I found most helpful and I would ask many people to read is Last's Introduction. Last presents our modern day virtues and their limitations and argues cogently that we need to return to the original virtues. The modern virtues are freedom, convenience, progress, equality, authenticity, health, nonjudgmentalism. Last says, "No, the modern virtues fail because, for the most part, they concern the outer self, the human facade, the part of ourselves that the world sees most readily - while the classical virtues form an organizing framework for our inner selves - for our souls, if you believe in that kind of thing." (p9)
An interesting read that can lead to self examination but probably not repentance.
May 16, 2021
[Imported automatically from my blog. Some formatting there may not have translated here.]
So the title of the book is The Seven Deadly Virtues and there are seventeen chapters. Apparently nobody told editor Jonathan V. Last that there would be math. And I don't know why Owen Wilson is on the cover.
Those quibbles aside, it's pretty good! Mr. Last persuaded 17 other conservative writers to each pen an essay on (in all but one case) a single virtue. Why so many? Well, first there are the classic virtues noticed by Plato (I'll put Mr. Last's assigned writer next to each):
Temperance [Andrew Stiles] Prudence [Andrew Ferguson] Courage [Michael Graham] Justice [Rob Long]Christian theology adds three more…
Faith [Larry Miller] Hope [David Burge, aka Iowahawk] Charity [Mollie Hemingway]And to pad things out, Last's writers also opine on "everyday" virtues:
Chastity [Matt Labash] Simplicity [James Lileks] Thrift [Joe Queenan] Honesty [Rita Koganzon] Fellowship [Christine Rosen] Forbearance [Sonny Bunch] Integrity [Jonah Goldberg] Curiosity [Christopher Caldwell] Perseverence [Christopher Buckley]If you're counting, that's 16: add in Mr. Last's introduction, and P.J. O'Rourke's overview of the first two batches, "The Seven Deadly Virtues and the New York Times".
Famous folk, all except… I had never heard of Rita Koganzon. Her back-of-the-book-bio shows why: she's a mere grad student (albeit at Harvard) and her publications are in serious journals I don't read.
I'm a little surprised that Christopher Buckley made the cut, due to his 2008 endorsement of Obama and his subsequent separation from his dad's magazine, National Review. (This also led to a wicked and delightful Iowahawk parody, so I'm also a bit surprised that Buckley agreed to appear in the same book as the Hawk.)
The essays range (in my subjective opinion) from superb to good. And the humor content varies from (usually) high to (a couple cases) undetectable. Some writers seem to stray from their topic. For example, Mr. Lileks on "Simplicity" takes off on his (well-known, if you know about Mr. Lileks at all) habit of picking up ephemera. (He ties it back up by the end of the essay.)
An adapted version of Jonah Goldberg's contribution can be read here.
Consumer note: my generous family gave me the hardcover for Christmas, but it's a tad pricey ($20.57 at Amazon as I type). I would recommend the Kindle version at $9.99.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews