Idleness

chapter? Okay, the first chapter...

is Childhood and the Ills of Idleness, Resistance at Carthage, Augustine.

That's

it.

End of chapter 4 CHAPTER V.

MONTH OF MAY First day, St. Francis said, Idleness is the hotbed of evil thoughts.

We must then give ourselves earnestly to some serious occupations.

Second day, St. Francis said, If sacred things do not receive the veneration which is due to them, but if on the contrary they are neglected or left lying about, we ought to collect them and put them in a fitting place, honoring thus in the word the Lord who pronounced it.

An industrious child, usefully and rightly occupied, has only one devil to tempt her, while the idle, lazy one has a thousand.

Idleness opens the door to every temptation, particularly to impurities.

Work and occupation are generally the safest locks to the door of our consciences.

besides labor and good works give a strength and a steady tone to our souls which are very useful in aiding us to resist temptation while satan rubs his hands with satisfaction over a child who will not work he knows by experience that here temptation will be easy resistance nothing and victory speedy and certain that this is true is proved by the sad experience of vacations and holidays to a large majority of children the total or partial absence of work exposes to many temptations and even to many serious faults those little souls which under regular occupation would have retained their innocence i myself remember a boy well brought up by his parents who for a whole year at school led a life so good that he was equally liked by masters and companions he was strict in all his religious duties he worked with all his heart was at the head of his class and religiously fulfilled all the duties of a christian scholar the vacation came and with rest idleness with relaxation came temptations and alas then came the fall unknown till then It may be remarked that in all schools, whether of boys or girls, with very rare exceptions, those at the bottom of their classes never shine in good conduct or in piety.

God has entrusted every believer with time, talents, and opportunities.

Idleness not only wastes these gifts, but also dishonors the giver.

Paul's command that the one who is unwilling to work shall not eat, 2 Thessalonians 3.10, underscores the importance of contributing to the community.

This isn't about punishment, but about cultivating a culture of mutual responsibility, where every member plays a role in building up the body of Christ.

End of chapter 4 CHAPTER V.

MONTH OF MAY First day, St. Francis said, Idleness is the hotbed of evil thoughts.

We must then give ourselves earnestly to some serious occupations.

Second day, St. Francis said, If sacred things do not receive the veneration which is due to them, but if on the contrary they are neglected or left lying about, we ought to collect them and put them in a fitting place, honoring thus in the word the Lord who pronounced it.