Go to the ant, thou lazybones;
consider its ways, and be wise,
Without having any chief
or officer or ruler,
it prepares its food in summer,
and gathers its sustenance in harvest.
How long will you lie there, O lazybones?
When will you rise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want, like an armed warrior.
--Proverbs 6:6-11
O Lord and Master of my life!
Take from me the spirit of sloth, of vain curiosity;
lust for power, and idle talk.
But give to me, your servant,
a spirit of soberness, humility,
patience and love.
Yes, Lord and King,
grant me to see my own faults
and not to judge my neighbor,
for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.
--Ephrem the Syrian, Fourth Century
The basic disease is sloth. It is that strange laziness and passivity of our entire being which always pushes us "down" rather than "up"--which constantly convinces us that no change is possible and therefore desirable. It is in fact a deeply rooted cynicism which to every spiritual challenge responds, "what for?" and makes our life one tremendous spiritual waste. It is the root of all sin because it poisons the spiritual energy at its very source.
--Alexander Schmemann
I've gotta start the day earlier tomorrow....
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