The love of indolence is universal, or next to it.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
An idle brain is the devil’s workshop.
—English Proverb
A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. There will be sleeping enough in the grave.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
The present generation, wearied by its chimerical efforts, relapses into complete indolence. Its condition is that of a man who has only fallen asleep towards morning: first of all come great dreams, then a feeling of laziness, and finally a witty or clever excuse for remaining in bed.
—Soren Kierkegaard (1813–55) Danish Philosopher, Theologian
If you ask me which is the real hereditary sin of human nature, do you imagine I shall answer pride, or luxury, or ambition, or egotism? No; I shall say indolence. Who conquers indolence will conquer all the rest. Indeed all good principles must stagnate without mental activity.
—Johann Georg Ritter von Zimmermann (1728–95) Swiss Philosophical Writer, Naturalist, Physician
I don’t think necessity is the mother of invention. Invention, in my opinion, arises directly from idleness, possibly also from laziness, to save oneself trouble.
—Agatha Christie (1890–1976) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
Extreme busyness, whether at school or college, kirk or market, is a symptom of deficient vitality; and a faculty for idleness implies a catholic appetite and a strong sense of personal identity.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
Towards evening the lazy person begins to get busy.
—German Proverb
Loafing needs no explanation and is its own excuse.
—Christopher Morley (1890–1957) American Novelist, Essayist
Some men are so lazy they won’t even feed themselves.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Prolonged idleness paralyzes initiative.
—Unknown
A life of ease is a difficult pursuit.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
Sloth is the key to poverty.
—Common Proverb
Just as iron rusts from disuse, even so does inaction spoil the intellect.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Architect
It is the just doom of laziness and a gluttony to be inactive without ease, and drowsy without tranquillity.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
The lazier a man is, the more he plans to do tomorrow.
—Norwegian Proverb
Troubles spring from idleness, and grievous toils from needless ease: many without labor would live by their own wits only, but they break for want of stock.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Laziness is the one common deficiency in mankind that blocks the establishment of a perfect world in which everyone leads a happy life.
—William Feather (1889–1981) American Publisher, Author
A man is not idle because he is absorbed in thought. There is a visible labor and there is an invisible labor.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
There is nothing worse than an idle hour, with no occupation offering. People who have many such hours are simply animals waiting docilely for death. We all come to that state soon or late. It is the curse of senility.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
Laziness. Unwarranted repose of manner in a person of low degree.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
Live life fully while you’re here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your friends. Have fun, be crazy, be weird. Go out and screw up! You’re going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process. Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes: find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. Don’t try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
By doing nothing we learn to do ill.
—Common Proverb
We seldom call anybody lazy, but such as we reckon inferior to us, and of whom we expect some service.
—Bernard Mandeville (1670–1733) Anglo-Dutch Philosopher, Satirist
A young man idle, an old man needy.
—English Proverb
Millions are idle, but it’s comforting to know that most of them have jobs.
—Unknown
Sometimes I think that idlers seem to be a special class for whom nothing can be planned, plead as one will with them—their only contribution to the human family is to warm a seat at the common table.
—Unknown
Perhaps man is the only being that can properly be called idle.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Never be entirely idle; but either be reading, or writing, or praying or meditating or endeavoring something for the public good.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
The path of least resistance makes all rivers, and some men, crooked.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
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