The Nine Satanic Sins
by Anton Szandor LaVey
© 1987
- 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.
- 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.
- Solipsism
Can be very dangerous for 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’s work 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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 into place. Do not be
swayed by herd constraints—know that you are working on another level
entirely from the rest of the world.
- 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 makes for a disposable society.
- 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.
- 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
one’s own nature, but there are universally pleasing and harmonious
configurations that should not be denied.
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