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Sadness (Sloth) has changed considerably since its original inclusion among the seven deadly sins. In fact it was first called the sin of sadness. It had been in the early years of Christianity characterized by what modern writers would now describe as apathy, depression, and joylessness — the last being viewed as being a refusal to enjoy the goodness of God and the world He created. Sadness describes a feeling of dissatisfaction or discontent which caused unhappiness with one's current situation. St. Thomas Aquinas described it as an "uneasiness of the mind," like the lesser sins of restlessness and instability. Dante refined this definition further, describing Sloth as being characterized by an absence or insufficiency of love. The modern view of the vice, as highlighted by its contrary virtue zeal/diligence, is that it represents the failure to utilize one's talents and gifts. For example, a student who does not work beyond what is required (and thus fails to achieve his or her full potential) could be labeled 'slothful'. Quite sad! Cheer up! You are most guilty of the sin of sadness. ("Sloth" replaced "sadness" as one of the seven sins early on.) You mope about, wallowing in your own perceived misfortune. Your excessive self-pity will dump you (much like that likely former significant other) in pits of eternal hellfire in order to get your warmer emotions flowing. (Burn, baby, burn!) So that you might evade this fate, exercise the heavenly virtue of zeal. Sadness, in Latin Tristia, is represented by the fish and the color black. Latent Image The book and the sin .. . .
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