Be not slothful.

 

213. Be not slothful! We are not created to be heedless and unproductive in this world we are living in. The religions of God tell us we are intended to take an active part in our spiritual development and make an impact on the physical world we live in:  Christianity: Hebrews 6:12 “Be not slothful,”  Judaism: Proverbs 6:6 “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:” Proverbs 18:9 “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.” Proverbs 19:15 “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” Proverbs 21:25 “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.”  Christianity: Romans 12:10 “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” Romans 12:11 “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving The Lord;” Hebrews 6:12 “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

BAHA’I FAITH: “This is a brilliant century. Eyes are now open to the beauty of the oneness of humanity, of love and of brotherhood. The darkness of suppression will disappear and the light of unity will shine. We cannot bring love and unity to pass merely by talking of it. Knowledge is not enough. Wealth, science, education are good, we know: but we must also work and study to bring to maturity the fruit of knowledge.” “Waste not your hours in idleness and sloth, but occupy yourselves with what will profit you and others.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha in London, p. 54 and Baha’u’llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 30)

 ISLAM: “Do not be hasty and do not precipitate your decisions and actions, when the time comes for an action to be done, or a decision to be taken, then do not be lazy and do not waste time and do not show weakness. When you do not find a true way to do the thing on hand, then do not persist on the wrong way and when you find a correct solution, then do not be lethargic in adopting it.”

(Islam, Ali b. Abi Taalib, Letters from Nahjul Balaagh)

Islam: “The Prophet said, ‘Nobody has ever eaten a better meal than that which one has earned by working with one’s own hands.’ Allah’s (God‘s) Apostle said, ‘The Prophet David used not to eat except from the earnings of his manual labor.”’

(Islam, Hadith, Bukhari Vol 3, Book 34, # 286)

Islam: 6. “Verily, with every difficulty there is relief. Therefore, when thou art free from thine immediate task, still labor hard, And to thy Lord turn (all) thy attention.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah  94)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: “One should persist with work as long as one lives.” (ZOROASTER, Hymns of Atharvan p. 149)

 Zoroastrianism: “Sages have told acceptance of activity to be the course of conscience. To do is better than not to do. None so worse as the inactive.” (ZOROASTER, Hymns of Atharvan pp. 306 thru 308)

 HINDUISM: “He that abstains To help the rolling wheels of this great world, Glutting his idle sense, lives a lost life,”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapter 3)

 Hinduism: “Sad is the steadfastness wherewith the fool Cleaves to his sloth, his sorrow, and his fears, His folly and despair. This- Pritha’s Son! Is born of Tamas, dark and miserable!” “Foul and dark the Pleasure is which springs From sloth and sin and foolishness; at first And at the last, and all the way of life.”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapter 18)

 BUDDHISM: 1. “Whoever lives only for pleasures, with senses uncontrolled, Immoderate in eating, lazy, and weak, will be overthrown by Mara, like the wind throws down a weak tree.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 2 (tr. J. Richards))

 Buddhism: 20. “Whoever does not rise when it is time to rise, who, though young and strong, is lazy, who is weak in will and thought, that lazy and idle person will not find the path of wisdom.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 2 (tr. J. Richards))

 Buddhism: 20. “The idler who strives not when he should strive, Who though young and strong is slothful, is feeble in maintaining right-mindedness, and is sluggish and inert, Such a one finds not thy way to wisdom.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 3 (tr. J.

 SABEANISM: “Do not slumber and sleep, and forget not what your lord commanded you.” (Sabeanism, Instruction of Adam)

Sabeanism: “Arise, ye sleepers who lie there, Rise up, ye stumblers who have stumbled, Arise, worship and praise the Great Life And praise His Counterpart, that is the image of the Life Which shineth forth and is expressed In sublime light.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 114)

 BABI RELIGION: “Scarcely were they installed than each of them took up all occupation — it is a principle of their faith that each man must work — and they appeared to live as the other Muslims, with this single difference that they never ceased to give an example of charity and gentleness.”

(Moojan Momen, The Babi  and Baha’i Religions 1844-1944, p. 198)

BAHA’I FAITH: “It is enjoined upon every one of you to engage in some form of occupation, such as crafts, trades and the like. We have graciously exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of worship unto God, the True One.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Tablets of Baha’u’llah, p. 26)

 BABI RELIGION: “Continue your occupation where you are with the greatest honour and respect.”

(Moojan Momen, The Babi  and Baha’i Religions 1844-1944, p. 400)

BAHA’I FAITH: “Waste not your time in idleness and sloth. Occupy yourselves with that which profiteth yourselves and others.” “Guard against idleness and sloth, and cling unto that which profiteth mankind, whether young or old, whether high or low. Beware lest ye sow tares of dissension among men or plant thorns of doubt in pure and radiant hearts.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Tablets of Baha’u’llah, pp. 26 and 138)