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.

I live an idle burden to the ground.

I live an idle burden to the ground.

Idleness is the only refuge of weak minds, and the holiday of fools

Idleness is the only refuge of weak minds, and the holiday of fools

Thus idly busy rolls their world away.

Thus idly busy rolls their world away.

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.

I never remember feeling tired by work, though idleness exhausts me completely

I never remember feeling tired by work, though idleness exhausts me completely

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.

Certainly work is not always required of a man. There is such a thing as a sacred idleness - the read more

Certainly work is not always required of a man. There is such a thing as a sacred idleness - the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected.

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.