| The Nine Satanic Sins by Anton Szandor LaVey copywrite 1987 |
1. Stupidity-The top of the list for Satanic Sins. The cardinal sin of
Satanism. It's too bad that stupidity isn't painful. Ignorance is one thing, but
our society thrives increasingly on stupidity. It depends on people going
along with whatever they are told. The media promotes a cultivated stupidity
as a posture that is not only acceptable but laudable. Satanists must learn
to see through the tricks and cannot afford to be stupid.
Satanism. It's too bad that stupidity isn't painful. Ignorance is one thing, but
our society thrives increasingly on stupidity. It depends on people going
along with whatever they are told. The media promotes a cultivated stupidity
as a posture that is not only acceptable but laudable. Satanists must learn
to see through the tricks and cannot afford to be stupid.
2. Pretentiousness-Empty posturing can be most irritating and isn't
applying the cardinal rules of Lesser Magic. On equal footing with stupidity
for what keeps the money in circulation these days. Everyone's made to feel
like a big shot, whether they can come up with the goods or not.
applying the cardinal rules of Lesser Magic. On equal footing with stupidity
for what keeps the money in circulation these days. Everyone's made to feel
like a big shot, whether they can come up with the goods or not.
3. Solipsism-Can be very dangerous to Satanists. Projecting your reactions,
responses, and sensibilities onto someone who is probably far less attuned
than you are. It is the mistake of expecting people to give you the same
consideration, courtesy, and respect that you naturally give them. They
won't. Instead, Satanists must strive to apply the dictum of "Do unto others
as they do unto you." It works for most of us and requires constant vigilance
lest you slip into a comfortable illusion of everyone being like you. As has
been said, certain utopias would be ideal in a nation of philosophers, but
unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately, from a Machiavellian standpoint) we
are far from that point.
responses, and sensibilities onto someone who is probably far less attuned
than you are. It is the mistake of expecting people to give you the same
consideration, courtesy, and respect that you naturally give them. They
won't. Instead, Satanists must strive to apply the dictum of "Do unto others
as they do unto you." It works for most of us and requires constant vigilance
lest you slip into a comfortable illusion of everyone being like you. As has
been said, certain utopias would be ideal in a nation of philosophers, but
unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately, from a Machiavellian standpoint) we
are far from that point.
4. Self-deceit-It's in the "Nine Satanic Statements" but deserves to be
repeated here. Another cardinal sin. We must not pay homage to any of the
sacred cows presented to us, including the roles we are expected to play
ourselves. The only time self-deceit should be entered into is when it's fun,
and with awareness. But then, it's not self-deceit!
repeated here. Another cardinal sin. We must not pay homage to any of the
sacred cows presented to us, including the roles we are expected to play
ourselves. The only time self-deceit should be entered into is when it's fun,
and with awareness. But then, it's not self-deceit!
5. Herd Conformity-That's obvious from a Satanic stance. It's all right to
conform to a person's wishes, if it ultimately benefits you. But only fools
follow along with the herd, letting an impersonal entity dictate to you. The
key is to choose a master wisely instead of being enslaved by the whims of
the many.
conform to a person's wishes, if it ultimately benefits you. But only fools
follow along with the herd, letting an impersonal entity dictate to you. The
key is to choose a master wisely instead of being enslaved by the whims of
the many.
6. Lack of Perspective- Again, this one can lead to a lot of pain for a
Satanist. You must never lose sight of who and what you are, and what a
threat you can be, by your very existence. We are making history right now,
every day. Always keep the wider historical and social picture in mind. That
is an important key to both Lesser and Greater Magic. See the patterns and
fit things together as you want the pieces to fall in place. Do not be swayed
by herd constraints-know that you are working on another level entirely from
the rest of the world.
Satanist. You must never lose sight of who and what you are, and what a
threat you can be, by your very existence. We are making history right now,
every day. Always keep the wider historical and social picture in mind. That
is an important key to both Lesser and Greater Magic. See the patterns and
fit things together as you want the pieces to fall in place. Do not be swayed
by herd constraints-know that you are working on another level entirely from
the rest of the world.
7. Forgetfulness of Past Orthodoxies-Be aware that this is one of the
keys to brainwashing people into accepting something new and different,
when in reality it's something that was once widely accepted but is now
presented in a new package. We are expected to rave about the genius of
the creator and forget the original. This is for a disposable society.
keys to brainwashing people into accepting something new and different,
when in reality it's something that was once widely accepted but is now
presented in a new package. We are expected to rave about the genius of
the creator and forget the original. This is for a disposable society.
8. Counterproductive Pride-That first word is important. Pride is great up to
the point you begin to throw out the baby with the bathwater. The rule of
Satanism is: if it works for you, great. When it stops working for you, when
you've painted yourself into a corner and the only way out is to say, I'm sorry,
I made a mistake, I wish we could compromise somehow, then do it.
the point you begin to throw out the baby with the bathwater. The rule of
Satanism is: if it works for you, great. When it stops working for you, when
you've painted yourself into a corner and the only way out is to say, I'm sorry,
I made a mistake, I wish we could compromise somehow, then do it.
9. Lack of Aesthetics-This is the physical application of the Balance Factor.
Aesthetics is important in Lesser Magic and should be cultivated. It is obvious
that no one can collect any money off classical standards of beauty and form
most of the time so they are discouraged in a consumer society, but an eye
for beauty, for balance, is an essential Satanic tool and must be applied for
greatest magical effectiveness. It's not what's supposed to be pleasing-it's
what is. Aesthetics is a personal thing, reflective of ones own nature, but
there are universally pleasing and harmonious configurations that should not
be denied.
Aesthetics is important in Lesser Magic and should be cultivated. It is obvious
that no one can collect any money off classical standards of beauty and form
most of the time so they are discouraged in a consumer society, but an eye
for beauty, for balance, is an essential Satanic tool and must be applied for
greatest magical effectiveness. It's not what's supposed to be pleasing-it's
what is. Aesthetics is a personal thing, reflective of ones own nature, but
there are universally pleasing and harmonious configurations that should not
be denied.