According to Roman Catholic tradition, "actual" sin as distinguished from original sin is an act contrary to the will and law of God whether by doing evil (sin of commission) or refraining from doing good (sin of omission). In Roman Catholic theology, it can be either "mortal," faith destroying, or "venial," not faith destroying. In Roman Catholic theology an actual sin is specifically any willful thought, desire, word, action or omission forbidden by the law of God.
Famous quotes containing the words actual and/or sin:
“In the actual world—the painful kingdom of time and place—dwell care, and canker, and fear. With thought, with the ideal, is immortal hilarity, the rose of joy.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Alas! this is the crying sin of the age, this want of faith in the prevalence of a man. Nothing can be effected but by one man. He who wants help wants everything. True, this is the condition of our weakness, but it can never be the means of our recovery. We must first succeed alone, that we may enjoy our success together.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)