Леность
What is Sloth?
Sloth is defined as a coldness and negligence towards eternal salvation, leading to an aversion to good works, and is condemned by both apostolic and Gospel teachings.
Question 36. What is complacency or laziness? Answer. Complacency is a coldness toward the eternal salvation of the soul, and negligence concerning it. Because of this neglect, a person becomes sad and resentful when faced with the need to do good works, for they avoid any effort that involves doing good. Against this vice, the Apostle writes: "do not become sluggish, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance" (Heb. 6:12). And our Savior, explaining this, says to that lazy servant: "you wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered." And later: "throw the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 25:26, 30).
Sins Born of Sloth
Sloth gives rise to sins like wilful laxity, temptation, effeminacy, and pride, which are countered by attentiveness and vigilance, as urged by Christ and the Apostle Peter.
Question 37. What sins are born from carelessness? Answer. Voluntary relaxation, occasion for sin, scandal, effeminacy, pride, and other similar things. Against this sin, watchfulness and diligence are opposed. Christ, calling to this virtue, says: "Be watchful, therefore, for you do not know the day or the hour when the Son of Man will come" (Matt. 25:13). And the Apostle: "Be sober, be watchful, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; resist him, firm in faith" (1 Pet. 5:8–9).
Read the original Russian
Вопрос 36. Что есть безпечность или леность?
Ответ. Безпечность есть холодность к вечному спасению души, и нерадение о нем. По причине такового нерадения человек печалится и негодует, когда предлежит ему исполнение доброго дела: ибо он убегает такого труда, который относится к деланию добра. Против сего порока Апостол пишет так: «да не лениви будете, но подражателе наследствующих обетования верою и долготерпением» (Евр. 6, 12). И Спаситель наш, объясняя сие, говорит к ленивому оному рабу: «лукавый рабе и ленивый, ведел еси, яко жну идеже не сеях, и собираю идеже не расточих». И ниже: "и непотребного раба вверзите во тму кромешнюю: ту будет плачь и скрежет зубом» (Мф. 25:26, 30)
Вопрос 37. Какие грехи рождаются от безпечности?
Ответ. Произвольное ослабление, повод ко греху, соблазн, изнеженность, высокомерие и другие сим подобные. Оному греху противополагается внимательность и рачительность. Христос, призывая к сей добродетели, говорит так: «Бдите убо, яко не весте дне ни часа, в оньже Сын Человеческий приидет» (Мф. 25, 13). И Апостол: «Трезвитеся, бодрствуйте, зане супостат ваш диавол, яко лев рыкая, ходит, иский кого поглотити: ему же противитеся тверди верою» (1Пет. 5, 8–9).
Orthodox Confession (Pravoslavnoe Ispovedanie) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit