Avoid idleness, and fill up all the spaces of thy time…
“Avoid idleness, and fill up all the spaces of thy time with severe and useful employment; for lust easily creeps in at those emptinesses where the soul is unemployed and the body is at ease; for no easy, healthful, idle person was ever chaste if he could be tempted; but of all employments, bodily labor is the most useful, and of the greatest benefit for driving away the Devil.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Idleness invites temptation; purposeful work protects the soul and body from moral decay.
In simple terms: Being busy keeps you virtuous.
Key Takeaway
Fill time with meaningful work.
Themes
discipline
morality
spirituality
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
advice
spiritual
When to use this quote
- daily routine
- career
- volunteering
- exercise
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
temptation
devil
idle mind
Questions to Reflect On
- What tasks truly nourish your soul?
- How do you balance activity with reflection?
A Different Perspective
Even purposeful work can become a distraction from deeper spiritual growth.