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
Some men are so lazy they won’t even feed themselves.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Labor disgraces no man; unfortunately, you occasionally find men who disgrace labor.
—Ulysses S. Grant (1822–85) American Civil War General, Head of State
Laziness erodes a person of his enthusiasm and energy. As a result the person loses all opportunities and finally becomes dejected and frustrated. The worst thing is that he stops believing in himself.
—The Vedas Sacred Books of Hinduism
Life is mostly froth and bubble. Two things stand like stone: Dodging duty at the double, leaving work alone.
—Unknown
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
To try and to fail, is not laziness
—African Proverb
That man is idle who can do something better.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Sloth is the key to poverty.
—Common Proverb
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 sluggard does not plow after the season, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Expect poison from standing water.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
Minds, like bodies, will often fall into a pimpled ill-conditioned state from mere excess of comfort, and like them, are often successfully cured by remedies in themselves very nauseous and unpalatable.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
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
Prolonged idleness paralyzes initiative.
—Unknown
Laziness. Unwarranted repose of manner in a person of low degree.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
If ever this free people—if this government itself is ever utterly demoralized, it will come from this incessant human wriggle and struggle for office, which is but a way to live without work.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
A lazy person, whatever the talents with which he starts out, have condemned himself to second-rate thoughts, and to second-rate friends
—Cyril Connolly (1903–74) British Literary Critic, Writer
The idle always have a mind to do something.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues (1715–47) French Moralist, Essayist, Writer
I never remember feeling tired by work, though idleness exhausts me completely.
—Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) Scottish Writer
Indolence is the dry rot of even a good mind and a good character; the practical uselessness of both. It is the waste of what might be a happy and useful life.
—Tryon Edwards (1809–94) American Theologian, Author
Nothing ages like laziness.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
Laziness never arrived at the attainment of a good wish.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
He that is doing nothing is seldom in need of helpers.
—Common Proverb
Employ thy time well if thou meanest to gain leisure; and since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour. Leisure is time for doing something useful, and this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man never, for a life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry, all things easy.—He that rises late must trot all day, and hall scarce overtake his business at night, while laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Loafing needs no explanation and is its own excuse.
—Christopher Morley (1890–1957) American Novelist, Essayist
There are men here and there to whom the whole of life is like an after-dinner hour with a cigar; easy, pleasant, empty, perhaps enlivened by some fable of strife to be forgotten—before the end is told—even if there happens to be any end to it.
—Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) Polish-born British Novelist
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