On negligence (sloth)

Do not put off the beginning of any work that must be done, because the first short delay will lead us to a second and longer one, the second to a third, longer still, and so on. Because of this the work is begun very late and does not come in time, or is left altogether, like a heavy burden. If once thou taste idleness, thou wilt come to love it, and to love it even more than activity; and when thou hast killed this desire in thyself, it will little by little become a habit with thee — not to do; either thou wilt fall into negligence, or the passion of idleness will so take hold of thee that thou wilt no longer understand how ugly and ruinous it is for thee. Only then, when, weighed down by negligence and put to shame, thou takest up the work again with all diligence, wilt thou see how careless thou wast before and how many useful works thou didst leave undone for the sake of a useless “I shall do what I please”. St Nicodemus the Hagiorite

Know this: if thou dost not act with thy mind and dost not fight against the feeling of heaviness and difficulty which the enemy sets before thee concerning the works to be done, then carelessness will in the end overcome thee; and not only when thou hast work to do, but while it is still seen far off, thou wilt have such a feeling as though a mountain lay upon thy shoulders, and thou wilt be weighed down and worn out. So will it be in thy time of rest also: thou wilt have no peace, and even without work thou wilt feel thyself heavy. St Nicodemus the Hagiorite

Direct every hour of thy life in a way pleasing to God. Always remember that after this present day no more time will be given thee, and that for every minute of the life thou hast lived thou must give an answer. Beyond price is that hour which is in thy hands; and if thou spend it in vain, the time will come when thou wilt seek it and not find it. St Nicodemus the Hagiorite

“Fight the good fight” (1 Tim. 6:12), for it has often happened that by the labour of one hour men have gained paradise, and on the contrary, through carelessness, have lost it in one hour. St Nicodemus the Hagiorite

Our body must be subdued by long labour, that through it we fall not into temptation. St Anthony the Great

Be watchful in soul without ceasing, that negligence may not take hold of thee and that thy zeal may not fail. St Anthony the Great

If thou art careless and negligent, remember him who buried his talent in the ground, and what befell him, and awake from the sleep of negligence. St John Chrysostom

Until death must we struggle, for he who leaves off the struggle becomes the prey of the wolf. St Isaac the Syrian

In the fight with the tempter one must never lay down one's weapons and give oneself to sleep. He who would not be wounded must choose one of two things: either to lay down his weapons, fall and perish, or always to stand armed and watchful. The countless host of the enemy watches for our carelessness and takes far more care for our destruction than we take for our salvation. The fight with the enemy is made especially hard by this, that he is unseen and falls upon us suddenly. St John Chrysostom

By negligence self-will is fed, and pride and hatred of the duties laid upon us are born. Elder Joseph the Hesychast

In this short life love labour, that thou mayest rest for ever. St Ephraim the Syrian

Let the memory of the eternal fire fall asleep and wake with thee, and negligence will never take hold of thee. St John of Sinai

Do not listen to the devil when he whispers to thee: give to me now, and to God thou shalt give tomorrow. No, no; but live always in a way pleasing to God, remembering that no other time will be given thee and that for every present moment thou wilt give a strict answer. Remember that the time which is in thy hands is precious. Count as lost that day in which, though thou didst good works, thou didst not overcome thy evil inclinations and desires. St Nicodemus the Hagiorite

The unclean demons are used to dwelling with those, and most of all trouble those, who weaken themselves with sloth and are careless in prayer. The venerable father Nilus of Sinai