George Herbert accuses the country of sin, particularly sloth. In his time, forcing out the phlegm cures the lethargy and returns the patient to healthy activity. He points to the model citizens as poor examples, timid and cowardly leaders. Sloth is not a common word today, but laziness, apathy, inactivity and idleness lay about our world. It is being caught up in comfort and lost to the concerns of others. This widespread lack of direction numbs the people. Just as respected officials spread this insensibility, it is they that may lead everyone into meaningful activity.

     For every sin there is a cure, a remedy, just like a medical prescription. The cure for sloth applies to all times and countries: do something worthwhile. Give value to your actions and the people around you. Endow them and yourself with the importance to change. Each contribution values the others by working together toward common improvement. If you have to, begin doing something that you can improve by yourself until someone joins you.

P.S. In "The Church Militant" Herbert describes the progress of Religion around the world.  Religion evangelizes and brings salvation. Sin follows the Church undoing much of what has been accomplished. In his day he saw Religion going to America leaving Sin to overtake Europe and Great Britain. Has Religion continued traveling West leaving Sin to the Americas?