Sloth, identified as one of the seven deadly sins in Roman Catholic theology, is more than just laziness. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines it as a “culpable lack of physical or spiritual effort.” While often interchanged with acedia, some theologians distinguish acedia as a spiritual form of sloth arising from lax ascetic practices, leading to discouragement and temptation. Therefore, even “busyness” can be a manifestation of sloth, a preoccupation with worldly affairs to avoid inner reflection. Sloth is not mere idleness; it’s a deliberate rejection of the joy derived from God’s love, even a repulsion of divine goodness.
Hieronymus Bosch’s depiction of the Seven Deadly Sins, highlighting sloth’s place among them.
The Theological Roots of Sloth
As a deadly sin, sloth is believed to incite other sins and immoral conduct. In Roman Catholic theology, sloth can tempt individuals away from prayer. Joy, diligence, and charity, the heavenly virtues, can counteract it. St. Gregory the Great (540–604) first enumerated the seven deadly sins, with St. Thomas Aquinas (1224/25–1274) further elaborating upon them. Besides sloth, the other deadly sins include pride, wrath, greed, envy, gluttony, and lust. Understanding the origin of the concept of the sloth sin requires understanding its theological and historical background.
Sloth in the Bible: Old and New Testaments
The Bible condemns sloth through the Ten Commandments, mandating Sabbath observance by abstaining from labor for God’s worship. The Old Testament cites sloth as a sin leading to God’s judgment upon Sodom, whose inhabitants are described in Ezekiel as “proud, sated with food, complacent in prosperity. They did not give any help to the poor and needy” (16:49). Psalms’ reference to “the plague that ravages at noon” (91:6), sometimes translated as “the noonday demon,” is often interpreted as acedia due to the temptation to distraction and restlessness during midday.
Rembrandt’s portrayal of Moses presenting the Ten Commandments, highlighting the importance of observing the Sabbath and avoiding idleness.
The New Testament’s Gospel According to Matthew emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one’s duties, including prayer. Jesus’ parable of the weeds illustrates a farmer’s wheat field sown with weeds while everyone sleeps (Matthew 13:24–30), symbolizing the devil sowing evil. In Gethsemane, Jesus admonishes his disciples for sleeping instead of praying: “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:40–41). The Bible provides a strong foundation for understanding the consequences of spiritual and physical negligence.
Sloth in Art and Literature: From Dante to Modern Film
Dante’s The Divine Comedy assigns the slothful to a terrace in purgatory, where they atone for their sin by ceaselessly running. Medieval Christian art often depicts sloth as sleeping figures. Abraham Bloemaert’s 17th-century painting Parable of the Wheat and the Tares portrays nude peasants asleep while a devil sows weeds, illustrating the dangers of idleness.
Abraham Bloemaert’s “Parable of the Wheat and the Tares” visually represents the consequences of spiritual negligence and idleness.
In the modern secular era, sloth is often portrayed humorously or as a subversive attitude. Consider characters like Homer Simpson from The Simpsons, the aimless twentysomethings in Richard Linklater’s Slacker, and “The Dude” from The Big Lebowski. Ottessa Moshfegh’s novel My Year of Rest and Relaxation tells the story of a woman who spends a year in drug-induced sleep after her parents’ death. These modern portrayals reflect a complex relationship with work, ambition, and societal expectations.
Homer Simpson, a modern cultural icon, embodies a humorous take on the deadly sin of sloth.
The Sloth Sin in the Modern World
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Pope Francis cautioned Christians against succumbing to sadness and sloth. In a homily, he referenced Jesus’ healing of a paralyzed man at Bethesda, who, when asked if he wanted to be healed, complained about his condition. The Pope described the man as “sick with sloth,” likening it to a poison, fog, and drug. This emphasizes the importance of combating spiritual stagnation, even in challenging times. Recognizing and fighting against acedia, the spiritual component of sloth, is particularly important in the modern world.
Conclusion: Understanding and Overcoming Sloth
The sin of sloth, or acedia, is a complex concept encompassing both physical and spiritual laziness. It’s not merely about being idle; it’s about a deliberate refusal to engage with life’s responsibilities and the divine. By understanding the theological roots of sloth, its portrayal in art and literature, and its relevance in the modern world, we can better recognize and combat this deadly sin in our own lives, striving for diligence, charity, and a joyful engagement with the world.
