What are the ten courses of action (kamma)?

In the Visuddhimagga, on the topic of *virtue*, there is a reference to the ten courses of action (kamma): > Furthermore, virtue as volition is the seven volitions [that accompany > the first seven] of **the [ten] courses of action (kamma)** in one who > abandons the killing of living things, and so on. Virtue as > consciousness-concomitant is the [three remaining] states consisting > of non-covetousness, non-ill will, and right view, stated in the way > beginning, “Abandoning covetousness, he dwells with a mind free from > covetousness” *(D I 71)*. I know the quote is taken out of context from the chapter, but I was just wondering about the ten courses of action (kamma), and their reference and significance?