"A man shall go out to his work, and to his work until the evening" (Psalm 103:23).

"For when we were with you, we commanded you this: If any man will not work, neither shall he eat," says the Apostle (2 Thess. 3:10).

99. Idleness, or withdrawal from labor, or sloth, is a sin in itself, for it is contrary to the commandment of God, which commands us to eat our bread in the sweat of our brow. God said to our forefather Adam: "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, until thou returnest to the ground from whence thou wast taken" (Gen. 3:19), and this command applies to us, his sons, as well. And the holy Apostle forbids him to eat who does not want to work. Consequently, those who live in idleness and feed on the labor of others sin unceasingly; and they will not cease to sin until they give themselves up to blessed labors. Excluded from this are the infirm and the elderly, who, although they would like to work, are unable to.

100. Not only is it sinful to be idle and to spend one's life without good labors, as has been said, but this is also the cause of many evils. For the human heart cannot be idle, but is occupied with some thoughts.

Hence drunkenness, the cause of many evils and temptations; hence all kinds of fornication; hence evil conversations, gossip, condemnations, ridicule, backbiting, blasphemy. Hence the frequent feasts and the consequent evils, such as theft, robbery, perjury, and so on. Hence card games and the combined deceptions, outrages, quarrels, fights and other lawlessness. Idleness invents superfluous luxury, which cannot exist without the offense of one's neighbor and the ruin of society. Idleness plots unnecessary buildings and other similar inventions, which cannot exist without the bloody tears of the poor. Idleness teaches to break, steal, kidnap, commit violence, lie, flatter, deceive. For the idle, having nothing to eat, rushes to steal the works of others, either openly, or secretly, or flatteringly. Thus, "idleness taught many evil things," according to the words of the wise Sirach (Sir. 33:28). That is why Solomon also says: "Everyone who is idle dwells in lusts" (Proverbs 13:4).

101. Idleness not only destroys the soul, but also harms the body. 1) Those who live in idleness are subject to all kinds of infirmities and infirmities. As water that has no current is corrupted, so the human body deteriorates and weakens without movement and labor. For the blood, on which all bodily integrity depends, in the one who has no movement from labor, thickens and so little by little rots. 2) He who does not work cannot take food for sweetness. Labors seem to compel the reception and cooking of food in the stomach, without which the stomach turns away from food. 3) As sleep is sweet after labor, so without labor it is restless. 4) Revellers and those who stagger idly are subject to ridicule and reproach of people. 5) They are forced to live in poverty and misery. For "poverty comes to them like a passer-by, and want like a thief," says Solomon (Proverbs 6:11).

102. In order to avoid idleness and the evils that follow it, one must firmly know: 1) That time is more precious than any treasure. 2) It is impossible to find the words of what was said, so it is impossible to find the lost time. 3) Those who have wasted time in vain will regret and seek the slightest time for repentance, no other than those who thirst for cold water; but they will not find it when there will be a time of judgment, and not of repentance; severity, not pardon. 4) It is necessary to give an answer for the time itself that has been wasted. For the present time is a bargain, in which the talents given to us by our Lord must be multiplied by labors with God's help, so that with the lazy servant we may not hear the terrible decree of the Lord: "Cast the worthless servant into outer darkness" (Matt. 25:30). Therefore, everyone should listen to the admonitions of the wise Solomon: "Go to the ant, you sluggard, see his actions, and be wise. He has no ruler, no bailiff, no master; but he stores up his bread in the summer, and gathers his food at harvest time. Or go to the bee and find out how industrious it is, what a venerable work it produces; her labors are used for health by both kings and commoners; she is loved by all and glorious; Though she is weak in strength, she is honored in wisdom. How long will you, sloth, sleep? When will you arise from your sleep? Sleep a little, slumber a little, lie down a little, folding your hands: and your poverty will come like a passer-by, and your need like a thief" (Proverbs 6:6-11).

103. Just as not all work is useful, so not all idleness is vicious. Evil are those lawless labors that are taken up for the sake of lawless deeds.

Just as these and other similar works are not praiseworthy, but vicious, so the abolition from them is praiseworthy. How blessed is peace when the mind is calmed from evil and soul-damaging thoughts, the heart from evil lusts; the eyes see nothing, the ears listen to nothing, the tongue and lips say nothing, the hands do nothing that is contrary to God's holy Law! Blessed is this idleness and blessed peace. This is what our Creator and Lord requires of us. This Sabbath is not only every week, but also every day, hour and minute we must celebrate. To this salvific and quietest repose, in which not only the external members of the body, but also the inner spiritual forces are calmed by harmful deeds and the conscience rests sweetly, Christ Himself calls: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28).

Chapter 7: On Drunkenness

"Woe to those who seek strong drink from early in the morning, and inflame themselves with wine until late in the evening; and the harp, and the harp, the tympanum, and the flute, and the wine at their banquets; but they do not look at the works of the Lord, nor do they think of the works of His hands. Therefore my people will go into captivity unexpectedly, because they have not known the Lord" (Isaiah 5:11-13)

"Who's howling? Who is moaning? Who has quarrels? Who has grief? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has crimson eyes? Joys that sit long at wine, who come to seek wine that is seasoned" (Proverbs 23:29-30)

"Do not be drunk with wine, whereby there is debauchery" (Ephesians 5:18)