Sloth (deadly sin)

Jheronimus Bosch Table of the Mortal Sins (Accidia)

Sloth (deadly sin) is one of the seven deadly sins in Christian theology and ethics. Sloth is defined as spiritual or emotional apathy, neglecting what God has spoken, and being physically and emotionally inactive. The concept of sloth has evolved significantly throughout Christian history. It was originally termed as acedia in early Christian monastic texts, which described a state of listlessness or torpor, an existential weariness that demotivates individuals from fulfilling their spiritual duties. Over time, the understanding of sloth expanded to encompass laziness towards one’s obligations both to God and to society.

History and Evolution

The early desert fathers, including Evagrius Ponticus and John Cassian, discussed acedia as one of the eight evil thoughts that afflict monks and hinder their spiritual progress. Evagrius Ponticus characterized it as a dejection of the soul and a hatred of one’s state in life. By the time of Gregory the Great, sloth was incorporated into the list of seven deadly sins as we know it today. Gregory the Great saw it as primarily a spiritual laziness, a refusal to enjoy the goodness of God and to act in accordance with His will.

Characteristics and Manifestations

In contemporary understanding, sloth is not merely laziness in the conventional sense, but a more profound form of spiritual lethargy. It involves ignoring the sacraments and the calls to worship, a lack of care about one’s own salvation, and even apathy towards the suffering of others. Sloth can manifest in procrastination, an unwillingness to change or to pursue virtue, and a resistance to the joy that comes from spiritual engagement.

Cultural Representations

Throughout history, sloth has been depicted in various forms of art, literature, and sermons, often symbolized by a slow-moving or sleeping figure. In Dante’s Divine Comedy, the slothful are punished in the fourth circle of Hell, where they are made to run continuously at high speeds, which contrasts sharply with their earthly lethargy.

Combating Sloth

Christian teachings suggest several remedies for sloth, including the practice of virtue, engagement in meaningful work, and the cultivation of spiritual disciplines like prayer and meditation. The emphasis is on awakening a zeal for God and for the good, which counters the inertia of sloth.

See Also

• Seven deadly sins
• Acedia
• Virtue
• Christian ethics