60	EVIL, WHAT A PITY

One of these days I will give a course in the university on the meaning of evil. I’ve been pondering it for a long time.

Because in Credere di credere I maintain that the only meaningful use of the word peccato (sin) is when we say: “oh, che peccato” (“Oh, that’s too bad” or “Oh, what a pity”). In other words: “ogni lasciata è persa” (“Everything left is lost,” implying, “Never miss a chance to grab something for yourself when you can”). But every missed chance to do good is also a loss: I didn’t pay attention to that person who was asking me for something, I didn’t help him.

But nothing objectively evil. Not even killing someone with a hammer. There can’t be a natural law that says, “He deserved to survive,” otherwise we would be forced to conclude that God is a tremendous assassin.

I’ve come round to the view that the only real sin is the failure to heed the other, the lack of charity. The only true sin is when I don’t pay attention.

If I’ve committed grave sins, apart from those of the flesh (too few) they have been sins of inattention, of hurriedness, of carelessness.

I reproach myself for that, and I repent. I don’t know what purpose that serves. I hope not to commit them any more.