Lectures to Young Men - On Various Important Subjects #220840

As Industry is habitual activity in some useful pursuit, so, not only inactivity, but also all efforts without the design of usefulness, are of the nature of Idleness. The supine sluggard is no more indolent than the bustling do nothing. Men may walk much, and read much, and talk much, and pass the day without an unoccupied moment, and yet be substantially idle because Industry requires, at least, the intention of usefulness. But gadding, gaz ing, lounging, mere pleasure-mongering, reading for the relief of ennui, — these are as useless as sleeping, or doz ing, or the stupidity of a surfeit. There are many grades of idleness; and veins of it run through the most industrious life. We shall indulge in some descriptions of the various classes of idlers, and leave the reader to judge, if he be an indolent man, to which class he belongs.