--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In lazy apathy let stoics boast, their…" description: "\"In lazy apathy let stoics boast, their virtue fix'd: 't is fix'd as in a frost; contracted all, retiring to the breast; but strength of mind is exercis..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8e/alexander-pope-235_apathy_in-lazy-apathy-let-stoics-boast-their-vi_2175887.png" --- # In lazy apathy let stoics boast, their virtue fix'd: 't is… ![“In lazy apathy let stoics boast, their virtue fix'd: 't is fix'd as in a frost; contracted all, retiring to the breast; but strength of mind is exercise, not rest.” quote by Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8e/alexander-pope-235_apathy_in-lazy-apathy-let-stoics-boast-their-vi_2175887.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8e/alexander-pope-235_apathy_in-lazy-apathy-let-stoics-boast-their-vi_2175887.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8e/alexander-pope-235_apathy_in-lazy-apathy-let-stoics-boast-their-vi_2175887.png) > “In lazy apathy let stoics boast, their virtue fix'd: 't is fix'd as in a frost; contracted all, retiring to the breast; but strength of mind is exercise, not rest.” [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Stoics claim virtue is fixed like frost, but true mental strength comes from active exercise, not idle rest. **In simple terms:** Virtue needs active practice, not passive endurance. Key Takeaway Exercise your mind daily. Themes virtue mind activity stoicism Mood reflective determined Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - studying - meditation - creative work - physical training - problem solving Key Concepts philosophy self‑discipline Questions to Reflect On - How do you keep mental exercises fresh? - What habits replace passive rest with active growth? A Different Perspective Even disciplined practice can become rigid if not balanced with flexibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Apathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apathy/) [Being strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-strong/) [Boast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boast/) [Exercise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Laziness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laziness/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Stoicism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stoicism/) [Strength of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength-of-mind/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [In lazy apathy let stoics boast, their virtue fixed, 'tis fixed as in a frost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/in-lazy-apathy-let-stoics-boast-their-virtue-fixed-tis-fixed-as-in-a/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Let the stoics say what they please, we do not eat for the good of living, but because the meat is savory and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/let-the-stoics-say-what-they-please-we-do-not-eat-for-the-good-of/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Strength of mind is exercise, not rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/strength-of-mind-is-exercise-not-rest/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Behold the groves that shine with silver frost, their beauty withered, and their verdure lost!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/behold-the-groves-that-shine-with-silver-frost-their-beauty-withered/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [“Your strength ‘lies’ in ; overcoming the ‘fears’ in your head. - Shilpika Bagh”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-greyman/your-strength-lies-in-overcoming-the-fears-in-your-head-shilpika-bagh/) [Linda Greyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-greyman/) > [We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-want-that-education-by-which-character-is-formed-strength-of-mind/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Let your children nourish their knack, for that knack shall one day provide them with the way to live with dignity and contentment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/let-your-children-nourish-their-knack-for-that-knack-shall-one-day/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Your mind is a wealth-carrier – a chest filled with hidden treasures.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/your-mind-is-a-wealth-carrier-a-chest-filled-with-hidden-treasures/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [Not one man in a thousand has either strength of mind or goodness of heart to be an Atheist. I repeat it. Not one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/not-one-man-in-a-thousand-has-either-strength-of-mind-or-goodness-of/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Strength of body, strength of mind, strength of character, qualities to be admired in any person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-berry/strength-of-body-strength-of-mind-strength-of-character-qualities-to/) [Mike Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-berry/) > [“I love to walk. Walking is a spiritual journey and a reflection of living. Each of us must determine which path to take and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edie-littlefield-sundby/i-love-to-walk-walking-is-a-spiritual-journey-and-a-reflection-of/) Edie Littlefield Sundby > [“When I can’t fight, I need you to fight harder. When I can’t be strong anymore, I need you to be stronger." - Neela…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-seril/when-i-can-t-fight-i-need-you-to-fight-harder-when-i-can-t-be-strong/) Steven Seril > [“Mind is the altar, mind is the temple, mind is the lord and mind is the gospel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/mind-is-the-altar-mind-is-the-temple-mind-is-the-lord-and-mind-is-the/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [People are afraid to think, or they don't know how. They fail to realize that, while emotions can't be suppressed, the mind can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-gutkind/people-are-afraid-to-think-or-they-don-t-know-how-they-fail-to/) Eric Gutkind > [What greater weakness can there be than not to know what is the source of one's being, of one's life, of one's senses, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/what-greater-weakness-can-there-be-than-not-to-know-what-is-the/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) ## More by Alexander Pope > [How do we know that we have a right to kill creatures that we are so little above, as dogs, for our curiosity or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/how-do-we-know-that-we-have-a-right-to-kill-creatures-that-we-are-so/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [To wake the soul by tender strokes of art, To raise the genius, and to mend the heart; To make mankind, in conscious virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/to-wake-the-soul-by-tender-strokes-of-art-to-raise-the-genius-and-to/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [A mighty maze! But not without a plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/a-mighty-maze-but-not-without-a-plan/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-such-teach-others-who-themselves-excel-and-censure-freely-who/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best, Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/for-i-who-hold-sage-homer-s-rule-the-best-welcome-the-coming-speed/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Like following life through creatures you dissect, You lose it in the moment you detect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/like-following-life-through-creatures-you-dissect-you-lose-it-in-the/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [When two people compliment each other with the choice of anything, each of them generally gets that which he likes least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/when-two-people-compliment-each-other-with-the-choice-of-anything/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th' unlearn'd and make the learned smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/such-labour-d-nothings-in-so-strange-a-style-amaze-th-unlearn-d-and/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-the-soul/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [She went from opera, park, assembly, play, To morning walks, and prayers three hours a day. To part her time 'twixt reading and bohea,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/she-went-from-opera-park-assembly-play-to-morning-walks-and-prayers/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [I am satisfied to trifle away my time, rather than let it stick by me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/i-am-satisfied-to-trifle-away-my-time-rather-than-let-it-stick-by-me/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [The greatest advantage I know of being thought a wit by the world is, that it gives one the greater freedom of playing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/the-greatest-advantage-i-know-of-being-thought-a-wit-by-the-world-is/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Then say not Man's imperfect,Heav'n in fault; Say rather, Man's as perfect ashe ought:](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/then-say-not-man-s-imperfect-heav-n-in-fault-say-rather-man-s-as/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [First follow Nature, and your judgment frame By her just standard, which is still the same: Unerring nature, still divinely bright, One clear, unchanged,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/first-follow-nature-and-your-judgment-frame-by-her-just-standard/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Who shall decide when doctors disagree, And soundest casuists doubt, like you and me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/who-shall-decide-when-doctors-disagree-and-soundest-casuists-doubt/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) [Explore all 850 Alexander Pope quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## More Apathy quotes > [If possible, I want to hear POLITICS defined without either sympathy or apathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/if-possible-i-want-to-hear-politics-defined-without-either-sympathy/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [One response was given by the innkeeper when Mary and Joseph wanted to find a room where the Child could be born. The innkeeper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/one-response-was-given-by-the-innkeeper-when-mary-and-joseph-wanted/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Try to greet troubles with apathy. Hello's are never what they used to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-swellers/try-to-greet-troubles-with-apathy-hello-s-are-never-what-they-used-to/) [The Swellers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-swellers/) > [Apathy can be overcome by enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/apathy-can-be-overcome-by-enthusiasm/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [Indifference must be a crime in us, to be ranked but one degree below treachery; for deserting the commonwealth is next to betraying it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-st-john-1st-viscount-bolingbroke/indifference-must-be-a-crime-in-us-to-be-ranked-but-one-degree-below/) [Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-st-john-1st-viscount-bolingbroke/) > [Insect politics, indifferent universe. Bang your head against the wall, but apathy is worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-henley/insect-politics-indifferent-universe-bang-your-head-against-the-wall/) [Don Henley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-henley/) > [“And there's a freedom in apathy, a wild, dizzying liberation on which you can almost get drunk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-shriver/and-there-s-a-freedom-in-apathy-a-wild-dizzying-liberation-on-which/) [Lionel Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-shriver/) > [For he who is not deaf, half a silence is enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-malfatti/for-he-who-is-not-deaf-half-a-silence-is-enough/) [Jean-Paul Malfatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-malfatti/) > [“Just because a person is silent doesn’t mean there’s no message.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-sonnenberg/just-because-a-person-is-silent-doesn-t-mean-there-s-no-message/) [Frank Sonnenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-sonnenberg/) > [“If someone with a high level of authority were to ask me, "Suzy, how can we make people so incredibly stupid and apathetic, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/if-someone-with-a-high-level-of-authority-were-to-ask-me-suzy-how-can/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [“It takes more than one kick in the pants to reverse a lifetime of unplanned apathy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-neilan/it-takes-more-than-one-kick-in-the-pants-to-reverse-a-lifetime-of/) [Paul Neilan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-neilan/) > [“Use the apathy of your logic to solve your problems and then the passion of your soul to enjoy life after that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelos-michalopoulos/use-the-apathy-of-your-logic-to-solve-your-problems-and-then-the/) [Angelos Michalopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelos-michalopoulos/) > [“The fundamental basis by which the court’s decision might be made is, in itself, imperfect and subject to contradictions. There is very little consideration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashim-shanker/the-fundamental-basis-by-which-the-court-s-decision-might-be-made-is/) [Ashim Shanker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashim-shanker/) > [“The young woman had read a good many novels, and she had seen a good many films; this education by newspaper, serial and film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-renard/the-young-woman-had-read-a-good-many-novels-and-she-had-seen-a-good/) [Maurice Renard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-renard/) > [Mourn not the dead that in the cool earth lie... But rather mourn the apathetic throng - The cowed and the meek - Who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-chaplin/mourn-not-the-dead-that-in-the-cool-earth-lie-but-rather-mourn-the/) [Ralph Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-chaplin/) [Browse all 619 Apathy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apathy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In lazy apathy let stoics boast, their virtue fix'd: 't is fix'd as in a frost; contracted all, retiring to the breast; but strength of mind is exercise, not rest.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alexander Pope" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/in-lazy-apathy-let-stoics-boast-their-virtue-fix-d-t-is-fix-d-as-in-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Apathy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/in-lazy-apathy-let-stoics-boast-their-virtue-fix-d-t-is-fix-d-as-in-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8e/alexander-pope-235_apathy_in-lazy-apathy-let-stoics-boast-their-vi_2175887.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8e/alexander-pope-235_apathy_in-lazy-apathy-let-stoics-boast-their-vi_2175887.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8e/alexander-pope-235_apathy_in-lazy-apathy-let-stoics-boast-their-vi_2175887.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In lazy apathy let stoics boast, their virtue fix'd: 't is fix'd as in a frost; contracted all, retiring to…” — Alexander Pope", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alexander Pope", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In lazy apathy let stoics boast,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/in-lazy-apathy-let-stoics-boast-their-virtue-fix-d-t-is-fix-d-as-in-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/in-lazy-apathy-let-stoics-boast-their-virtue-fix-d-t-is-fix-d-as-in-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```