idleness

Everyday

1. Idleness is being lazy and not working or doing anything useful. tree →
2. Idleness is also simply not being in use or not busy: a machine's idleness. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, fables and sayings, idleness is shown as a fault: «Idleness is the root of all mischief». In ethics and church teaching, laziness (sloth) is one of the old list of sins. Phrases: «a life of idleness», «idle hands».

Examples

• The grasshopper spent the summer in idleness while the ants worked. tree →
• His idleness meant his homework never got done. tree →
• After weeks of idleness, the factory machines were rusty. tree →
• A little idleness on a holiday can be nice. tree →
• «Idle hands make mischief,» Grandma says. tree →
• Idleness made the long afternoon feel boring. tree →
• Idleness is a great sin, and I certainly don’t like any of my friends to be idle or sluggish. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Adjective «idle», adverb «idly». Do not confuse «idle» with «idol» (a famous person you admire, or a statue worshipped). Resting is not idleness: everyone needs rest.

In Jewish tradition

Idleness is laziness, a failing that the wise books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes warn leads to ruin.

Interpretation. The tradition praises the capable woman of Proverbs 31, sung on Friday nights, because she never eats the bread of idleness. Honest work is seen as a virtue.

Examples

• By slothfulness the rafters sink in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh. (Writings ECC.10.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. (Writings PRO.31.27, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable. Adjective «idle», adverb «idly». Do not confuse «idle» with «idol» (a famous person you admire, or a statue worshipped). Resting is not idleness: everyone needs rest.