Q: I read an article about the sin of curiosity, and how St. Thomas Aquinas says that the pursuit of knowledge can be sinful in different ways. One of these ways is: “Secondly, there may be sin by reason of the appetite or study directed to the learning of truth being itself inordinate; and this in four ways. First, when a man is withdrawn by a less profitable study from a study that is an obligation incumbent on him; hence Jerome says [Epist. xxi ad Damas]: ‘We see priests forsaking the gospels and the prophets, reading stage-plays, and singing the love songs of pastoral idylls.’” I’m a college student studying business and finance, that’s what I plan to have my career be. However, I’m also a musician on the side, and I write my own music and perform at some local venues. I play the guitar and have been studying for years to hone this craft. Obviously, my classes come first. I always complete my assignments for school on time, etc. My “first love” of a career choice would be a musician, but that’s not super realistic for various reasons. So, is it a sin for me to continue musical pursuits and gain knowledge in that field as well? I’m worried that it falls under the sin of curiosity as outlined by Aquinas. — Martin
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:
A: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to your question.
Like a lot of things in life, the key thing is balance.
It’s not a bad thing to cultivate your talents, including guitar playing.
You simply need to decide how much time to dedicate to it, taking into account your other priorities.
These priorities can change over time, which is why discernment is an ongoing task.
If the day arrives when you are working and supporting a wife and four children, it might not be good to spend time on the guitar when you really need to think of a second job (unless playing a guitar at banquets, etc., turns out to be the part-time work you need).
St. Thomas’ point is that we shouldn’t neglect the essentials for the sake of the frivolous.
This isn’t to say we shouldn’t find ways to relax or to pursue hobbies. Sometimes a hobby helps us to deal with the stress of all our other areas of life. It’s just a matter of balance.
