For these lesser goals

Sin arises when things that are a minor good are pursued
as though they were the most important goals in life. If
money or affection or power are sought in disproportionate,
obsessive ways, then sin occurs. And that sin is magnified
when, for these lesser goals, we fail to pursue the highest
good and the finest goals. So when we ask ourselves why,
in a given situation, we committed a sin, the answer is
usually one of two things. Either we wanted to obtain
something we didn't have, or we feared losing something we had.
- Augustine