We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.
[Lat., Difficultas patrocinia praeteximus segnitiae.]

We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.
[Lat., Difficultas patrocinia praeteximus segnitiae.]

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.

The frivolous work of polished idleness.
- Sir James Mackintosh,

The frivolous work of polished idleness.
- Sir James Mackintosh,

Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from needless ease.

Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from needless ease.

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.

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.

Gloomy calm of idle vacancy.

Gloomy calm of idle vacancy.

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.

…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...