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.

…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...

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.

Idleness is emptiness; the tree in which the sap is stagnant,
remains fruitless.

Idleness is emptiness; the tree in which the sap is stagnant,
remains fruitless.

Idleness, sorrow, a friend, and a foe.

Idleness, sorrow, a friend, and a foe.

Thus idly busy rolls their world away.

Thus idly busy rolls their world away.

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

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

Idleness, like kisses, to be sweet must be stolen.

Idleness, like kisses, to be sweet must be stolen.

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.