If the mind is wearied by study, or the body worn with…
“If the mind is wearied by study, or the body worn with sickness, It is well to lie fallow for a while, in the vacancy of sheer amusement; But when thou prosprest in health, and thine intellect can soar untired, To seek uninstructive pleasure is to slumber on the couch of indolence.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
When fatigue or illness strikes, a brief pause for lighthearted fun restores energy, but indulging in idle pleasure while healthy leads to laziness.
In simple terms: Rest to sick, but avoid idleness when healthy.
Key Takeaway
Balance rest and purposeful activity.
Themes
rest
health
balance
productivity
leisure
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- recovering from illness
- creative work
- study breaks
- post‑recovery routine
Key Concepts
wellbeing
energy management
self‑discipline
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you know when rest turns into avoidance?
- What activities refresh without stalling progress?
A Different Perspective
Too much leisure can become procrastination.