How various his employments whom the world
Calls idle; and who justly in return
Esteems that busy read more

How various his employments whom the world
Calls idle; and who justly in return
Esteems that busy world an idler too!

Thus idly busy rolls their world away.

Thus idly busy rolls their world away.

Gloomy calm of idle vacancy.

Gloomy calm of idle vacancy.

What heart can think, or tongue express,
The harm that groweth of idleness?

What heart can think, or tongue express,
The harm that groweth of idleness?

I don't think necessity is the mother of invention -- invention . . . arises directly from idleness, possibly also read more

I don't think necessity is the mother of invention -- invention . . . arises directly from idleness, possibly also from laziness. To save oneself trouble.

Purity of mind and idleness are incompatible

Purity of mind and idleness are incompatible

As peace is the end of war, so to be idle is the ultimate purpose of the busy.

As peace is the end of war, so to be idle is the ultimate purpose of the busy.

It is not the hours we put in on the job, it is what we put into the hours that read more

It is not the hours we put in on the job, it is what we put into the hours that counts.

Were't not affection chains thy tender days
To the sweet glances of thy honored love,
I rather read more

Were't not affection chains thy tender days
To the sweet glances of thy honored love,
I rather would entreat thy company
To see the wonders of the world abroad
Than, living dully sluggardized at home,
Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness.