Definitions Related words Mentions History

Literary notes about Sluggard (AI summary)

The term "sluggard" has long served as a pointed emblem of laziness and moral failing in literature. In religious and moral texts such as John Bunyan’s works ([1], [2], [3], [4]), it functions as a cautionary reminder—urging readers to emulate the hardworking ant—while writers like Aesop ([5]) and Victor Hugo ([6]) deploy it as a sharp rebuke against indolence. Meanwhile, in more playful or satirical contexts, authors such as Lewis Carroll ([7]) and Walter Scott ([8]) reinvent the term to either humorously chide or critically reflect on a character’s lack of vigor. This enduring use across genres, from G.K. Chesterton’s commentaries ([9], [10]) to even modern literary juxtapositions ([11]), underscores the versatility and deep cultural resonance that "sluggard" maintains as a symbol of inertia and the call to action.
  1. Now, as he was sleeping, there came one to him, and awaked him, saying, Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise.
    — from The Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which is to come by John Bunyan
  2. Now, as he was sleeping, there came one to him, and awaked him, saying, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; [3] consider her ways, and be wise."
    — from The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can Read by John Bunyan
  3. "The soul of the sluggard desireth and hath nothing."
    — from The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can Read by John Bunyan
  4. "The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing."
    — from The Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which is to come by John Bunyan
  5. His master one day, pretending to be angry and shaking his stick at him, said, “You wretched little sluggard!
    — from Aesop's Fables by Aesop
  6. if thou know'st not to rise; Sit up, thou tortured sluggard!
    — from Poems by Victor Hugo
  7. ‘Stand up and repeat “‘ Tis the voice of the sluggard ,”’ said the Gryphon.
    — from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  8. “I hope, Sir Knight,” said the hermit, “thou hast given no good reason for thy surname of the Sluggard.
    — from Ivanhoe: A Romance by Walter Scott
  9. The wise king told the sluggard to watch the ant, a charming occupation—for a sluggard.
    — from What's Wrong with the World by G. K. Chesterton
  10. The wise king told the sluggard to watch the ant, a charming occupation—for a sluggard.
    — from What's Wrong with the World by G. K. Chesterton
  11. A government post driver could hardly have coped with it, much less an incompetent sluggard like Grigory.
    — from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, BlueSky


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Compound Your Joy