Their only labour was to kill the time;
And labour dire it is, and weary woe,
They read more

Their only labour was to kill the time;
And labour dire it is, and weary woe,
They sit, they loll, turn o'er some idle rhyme,
Then, rising sudden, to the glass they go,
Or saunter forth, with tottering steps and slow.

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 was raised to feel that doing nothing was a sin. I had to
learn to do nothing.

I was raised to feel that doing nothing was a sin. I had to
learn to do nothing.

A nation rushing hastily too and fro, busily employed in idleness.

A nation rushing hastily too and fro, busily employed in idleness.

That destructive siren, sloth, is ever to be avoided.
[Lat., Vitanda est improba--desidia.]

That destructive siren, sloth, is ever to be avoided.
[Lat., Vitanda est improba--desidia.]

Idleness, sorrow, a friend, and a foe.

Idleness, sorrow, a friend, and a foe.

Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by
indolence.
[Lat., Utque alios industria, ita hunc read more

Other men have acquired fame by industry, but this man by
indolence.
[Lat., Utque alios industria, ita hunc ignavia ad vamam
protulat.]

…for when men labor they keep out of mischief. You remember the old proverb--An idle mind is the Devils workshop...

…for when men labor they keep out of mischief. You remember the old proverb--An idle mind is the Devils workshop...

In the diligence of his idleness.
[Lat., Diligenter per vacuitatem suam.]

In the diligence of his idleness.
[Lat., Diligenter per vacuitatem suam.]