Laziness

     During one of the frequent house elf arguments between Ron and Hermione: "It's people like you, Ron," Hermione said hotly, "who prop up rotten and unjust systems, just because they're too lazy to -"
[they were interrupted but I'm assuming she would finish with "do anything about them."]
     Although S.P.E.W. might have been a little over the top for a group of people who were doing would they were created to do and loved to do (serve others), Hermione definitely had the right idea and intentions.* Laziness is far more dangerous than we often credit it to being. I know that I'm guilty of thinking that being lazy will result in not completing small responsibilities at worst (which is still bad but it seems better than some other stuff). Unfortunately, laziness can actually effect our ideals and moral values as well. If I'm too lazy to put in the effort to help someone, I'm also undoubtably trying to justify my questionable action in my mind using excuses and lies. Over time, this can erode my conscious/moral compass and prevent me from being all that God created me to be.
     In the Bible it says, "Lazy people want much and get little, but those who work hard will prosper. " (Proverbs 13:4) And Romans 12:11 instructs us to, "Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically." There are many other admonishments against laziness but I think one of the best examples is the story of the talents in Matthew. As much as the third servant could try and justify his actions, when reported to the master His excuses suddenly sounded as feeble as the lies they truly were. His laziness cost him his eternal life of celebration and, if we're not careful, it can do the same to us.

*If she had taken the time to understand what the house elves wanted, which generally speaking was not freedom but affection and praise/gratitude, perhaps she could have focused her efforts more effectively.