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:
“Irish? In truth I would not want to be anything else. It is a state of mind as well as an actual country. It is being at odds with other nationalities, having quite different philosophy about pleasure, about punishment, about life, and about death. At least it does not leave one pusillanimous.”
—Edna O’Brien (b. c. 1932)
“But, when to Sin our byast Nature leans,
The careful Devil is still at hand with means;
And providently Pimps for ill desires:
The Good Old Cause, reviv’d, a Plot requires,
Plots, true or false, are necessary things,
To raise up Common-wealths and ruine Kings.”
—John Dryden (1631–1700)