Boredom Quote by Dorothy Gilman
“Hell is more like boredom, or not having enough to do, and too much time to contemplate one's deficiencies.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux, 1981
Boredom and idle contemplation can feel like a personal hell, more tormenting than external suffering.
In simple terms: Idle time feels like hell.
Key Takeaway
Seek purposeful activity.
Themes
boredom
existential dread
self‑reflection
Mood
restless
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- long waits
- unemployment
- creative blocks
- self‑assessment
Key Concepts
psychology
meaninglessness
time perception
Questions to Reflect On
- What activities give your life purpose?
- How can you turn idle time into growth?
A Different Perspective
Even with activity, boredom can persist if work lacks meaning.
![“Once upon a time, [the guru] said, when God had finished making the world, he wanted to leave behind Him for man a piece of His own divinity, a spark of His essence, a promise to man of what he could become, with effort. He looked for a place to hide this Godhead because, he explained, what man…” quote by Dorothy Gilman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5b2/dorothy-gilman-19428_god_once-upon-a-time-the-guru-said-when-god_1164708.jpg)
