Here is the description of an unprofitable, slothful, wicked servant, a
slave that serves not from conscience, or love, but purely from fear.
Let those that have such servants put on patience to bear the vexation
and not disturb themselves at it. See their character. 1. No rational
words will work upon them; they will not be corrected and reformed, not
brought to their business, nor cured of their idleness and laziness, by
fair means, no, nor by foul words; even the most gentle master will be
forced to use severity with them; no reason will serve their turn, for
they are unreasonable. 2. No rational words will be got from them. They
are dogged and sullen; and, though they understand the questions you
ask them, they will not give you an answer; though you make it ever so
plain to them what you expect from them, they will not promise you to
mend what is amiss nor to mind their business. See the folly of those
servants whose mouth by their silence calls for strokes; they might be
corrected by words and save blows, but they will not.