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In Praise of Idleness

In Praise of Idleness

By: Bertrand Russell

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Poetic Outlaws
Feb 06, 2023
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In Praise of Idleness
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NIELS FREDERIK SCHIØTTZ-JENSEN, AN AFTERNOON’S REST, 1885

Like most of my generation, I was brought up on the saying: “Satan finds some mischief for idle hands to do.”

Being a highly virtuous child, I believed all that I was told, and acquired a conscience which has kept me working hard down to the present moment. But although my conscience has controlled my actions, my opinions have undergone a revolution.

I think that there is far too much work done in the world, that immense harm is caused by the belief that work is virtuous, and that what needs to be preached in modern industrial countries is quite different from what always has been preached. 

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