Work is no disgrace: it is idleness which is a disgrace

Work is no disgrace: it is idleness which is a disgrace

Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time,
which every day produces, and which most read more

Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time,
which every day produces, and which most men throw away, but
which nevertheless will make at the end of it no small deduction
for the life of man.

There is no remedy for time misspent;
No healing for the waste of idleness,
Whose very languor read more

There is no remedy for time misspent;
No healing for the waste of idleness,
Whose very languor is a punishment
Heavier than active souls can feel or guess.

Thus idly busy rolls their world away.

Thus idly busy rolls their world away.

Idleness is many gathered miseries in one name.

Idleness is many gathered miseries in one name.

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.

What heart can think, or tongue express,
The harm that groweth of idleness?

What heart can think, or tongue express,
The harm that groweth of idleness?

Busy idleness urges us on.
[Lat., Strenua nos exercet inertia.]

Busy idleness urges us on.
[Lat., Strenua nos exercet inertia.]

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.]