Depravity

Depravity (Lat. pravus), the moral crookedness and corruption of man's nature. The Scriptures describe moral goodness and obedience as the pursuing of a straight or right line (hence the word "rectitude"). Depravity is the turning aside out of that straight line. "It is the fault and corruption of the nature of every man that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone (quam longissime, as far as possible to be within reach of a recovery) from original righteousness," etc. (9th Art. of Rel. of Church of England; with of the M. E. Church). On the nature and extent of depravity, SEE SIN, ORIGINAL.