--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A computer can be a useful and…" description: "\"A computer can be a useful and indispensable tool. But if we allow it to devour our time with vain, unproductive, and sometimes destructive pursuits, i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d9/joseph-b-wirthlin-822_allow_a-computer-can-be-a-useful-and-indispens_3098372.png" --- # A computer can be a useful and indispensable tool. But if… ![“A computer can be a useful and indispensable tool. But if we allow it to devour our time with vain, unproductive, and sometimes destructive pursuits, it becomes an entangling net.” quote by Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d9/joseph-b-wirthlin-822_allow_a-computer-can-be-a-useful-and-indispens_3098372.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d9/joseph-b-wirthlin-822_allow_a-computer-can-be-a-useful-and-indispens_3098372.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d9/joseph-b-wirthlin-822_allow_a-computer-can-be-a-useful-and-indispens_3098372.png) > “A computer can be a useful and indispensable tool. But if we allow it to devour our time with vain, unproductive, and sometimes destructive pursuits, it becomes an entangling net.” [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Technology is valuable, but when it dominates time with trivial or harmful activities, it traps us like a net. **In simple terms:** Tech is useful, but can trap us if misused. Key Takeaway Use tech wisely, set boundaries. Themes technology time management discipline balance Mood reflective cautious Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - work tasks - social media - online learning - entertainment Key Concepts productivity digital well‑being mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - How much time do you spend on unproductive tech? - What boundaries can you set for digital use? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance may cause stress or distraction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Allow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allow/) [Becomes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/becomes/) [Computer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computer/) [Computer Useful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computer-useful-5358502/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Destructive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destructive/) [Destructive Pursuits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destructive-pursuits-5358505/) [Devour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devour/) [Entangling Net](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entangling-net-5358503/) [Indispensable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indispensable/) [Net](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/net/) [Our](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our/) [Our time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-time/) [Pursuits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuits/) [Pursuits Entangling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuits-entangling-5358504/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Tool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tool/) [Unproductive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unproductive/) [Useful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/useful/) [Vain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vain/) ## Related quotes > [There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/there-are-certain-pursuits-which-if-not-wholly-poetic-and-true-do-at/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“All great men face challenges in the pursuit of their goals. However, the challenges did not deter them for pushing forward and realizing their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/all-great-men-face-challenges-in-the-pursuit-of-their-goals-however/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [A pattern is a guide or a model. Patterns are used in sewing and knitting, in wood and metalworking, and in a wide variety…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-bednar/a-pattern-is-a-guide-or-a-model-patterns-are-used-in-sewing-and/) [David A. Bednar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-bednar/) > [“It’s not even that you have to drop vain pursuits. God is not asking you to give up your sweeties, your favorite treats. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mooji/it-s-not-even-that-you-have-to-drop-vain-pursuits-god-is-not-asking/) [Mooji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mooji/) > [We are material creatures who spend much of our lives on material pursuits (even building a cathedral or writing a novel requires stone and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/we-are-material-creatures-who-spend-much-of-our-lives-on-material/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [“Death by Trivial Pursuits”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-cavanagh/death-by-trivial-pursuits/) [Dean Cavanagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-cavanagh/) > [Also, painting and animation are really solitary pursuits, so the collaborative aspects of music making and acting are pretty welcome sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tunde-adebimpe/also-painting-and-animation-are-really-solitary-pursuits-so-the/) [Tunde Adebimpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tunde-adebimpe/) > [Something about the cultural tradition of Jews is way, way more sympathetic to science and learning and intellectual pursuits than Islam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/something-about-the-cultural-tradition-of-jews-is-way-way-more/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“We should associate only with positive, focused people who we can learn from and who will not drain our valuable energy with complaining and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-pillai/we-should-associate-only-with-positive-focused-people-who-we-can/) [Donald Pillai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-pillai/) > [It is rather hard to be accused of shiftlessness and idleness when the accuser closes the avenue of labour and industrial pursuits to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-h-white/it-is-rather-hard-to-be-accused-of-shiftlessness-and-idleness-when/) [George H. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-h-white/) > [I love and collect contemporary art and go to all the art fairs. I love Damien Hirst and Matthew Barney. I grew up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nouriel-roubini/i-love-and-collect-contemporary-art-and-go-to-all-the-art-fairs-i/) [Nouriel Roubini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nouriel-roubini/) > [Do not waste this life in vain pursuits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-of-nineveh/do-not-waste-this-life-in-vain-pursuits/) [Isaac of Nineveh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-of-nineveh/) > [While one finds company in himself and his pursuits, he cannot feel old, no matter what his years may be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amos-bronson-alcott/while-one-finds-company-in-himself-and-his-pursuits-he-cannot-feel/) [Amos Bronson Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amos-bronson-alcott/) > [Everyone is desirous of his own pursuits, and loves To spend his time in his accustomed art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/everyone-is-desirous-of-his-own-pursuits-and-loves-to-spend-his-time/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [I have entered the field to die, if need be, for this government, and never expect to return to peaceful pursuits until the object…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-a-logan/i-have-entered-the-field-to-die-if-need-be-for-this-government-and/) [John A. Logan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-a-logan/) ## More by Joseph B. Wirthlin > [As we progress and become more like the Savior, we can strengthen every group with whom we associate, including families and friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/as-we-progress-and-become-more-like-the-savior-we-can-strengthen/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [There was never any doubt of Christ's priorities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/there-was-never-any-doubt-of-christ-s-priorities/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won't, for he sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/although-we-might-settle-for-less-heavenly-father-won-t-for-he-sees/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [My father was truly a great man. I remember one day putting my feet in my father's shoes. I was amazed at the size.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/my-father-was-truly-a-great-man-i-remember-one-day-putting-my-feet-in/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [The Savior was selfless. He viewed himself and his own needs as secondary, and he ministered to others tirelessly, lovingly, effectively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/the-savior-was-selfless-he-viewed-himself-and-his-own-needs-as/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Come what may and love it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/come-what-may-and-love-it/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [When the Savior Himself was born, there were troubled times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/when-the-savior-himself-was-born-there-were-troubled-times/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Logic itself affirms that a loving Heavenly Father would not abandon His children without providing a way for them to learn of Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/logic-itself-affirms-that-a-loving-heavenly-father-would-not-abandon/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Building our homes as fortresses of righteousness for protection from the world takes constant labor and diligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/building-our-homes-as-fortresses-of-righteousness-for-protection-from/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [The most treasured and sacred moments of our lives are those filled with the spirit of love. The greater the measure of our love,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/the-most-treasured-and-sacred-moments-of-our-lives-are-those-filled/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Desire, burning desire, is basic to achieving anything beyond the ordinary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/desire-burning-desire-is-basic-to-achieving-anything-beyond-the/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [In the lonely hours, I have spent a great deal of time thinking about eternal things. I have contemplated the comforting doctrines of eternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/in-the-lonely-hours-i-have-spent-a-great-deal-of-time-thinking-about/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [When we make purchases on credit, they give us only an illusion of prosperity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/when-we-make-purchases-on-credit-they-give-us-only-an-illusion-of/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [The Spirit is as operative today in communicating the gospel to all who seek the truth as it was on the day of Pentecost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/the-spirit-is-as-operative-today-in-communicating-the-gospel-to-all/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Lying, stealing, and cheating are commonplace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/lying-stealing-and-cheating-are-commonplace/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) [Explore all 360 Joseph B. Wirthlin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) ## More Allow quotes > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [Please don't allow anyone to make you feel less than what you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-hoover/please-don-t-allow-anyone-to-make-you-feel-less-than-what-you-are/) [Colleen Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-hoover/) > [Verbs allow you to communicate a story in a much more converged or involuntary way for a reader. The verbs allow you to come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/verbs-allow-you-to-communicate-a-story-in-a-much-more-converged-or/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [Markets are designed to allow individuals to look after their private needs and to pursue profit. It's really a great invention and I wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/markets-are-designed-to-allow-individuals-to-look-after-their-private/) [George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/) > [Nothing has power over you unless you allow it. No matter what happens, you can choose what and how to think, act, and speak!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nothing-has-power-over-you-unless-you-allow-it-no-matter-what-happens/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you don't allow people to contribute, to offer their point of view, or to criticize what has been put before them, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/if-you-don-t-allow-people-to-contribute-to-offer-their-point-of-view/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [While we welcome people of all faiths in America we cannot be so naive as to expect all countries to do the same. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-huffington/while-we-welcome-people-of-all-faiths-in-america-we-cannot-be-so/) [Michael Huffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-huffington/) > [“Allow yourself some happiness, so that I can be a part of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/montgomery-mahaffey/allow-yourself-some-happiness-so-that-i-can-be-a-part-of-it/) [Montgomery Mahaffey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/montgomery-mahaffey/) > [I've cosponsored legislation to establish a lend-lease program to simplify bureaucratic barriers and allow a speedier transfer of U.S. military equipment to Ukraine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/i-ve-cosponsored-legislation-to-establish-a-lend-lease-program-to/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [“Sometimes life doesn't allow us to be free to fly wherever we'd like.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elana-johnson/sometimes-life-doesn-t-allow-us-to-be-free-to-fly-wherever-we-d-like/) [Elana Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elana-johnson/) > [I am that which I am, and I am willing to allow all others to be that which they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/i-am-that-which-i-am-and-i-am-willing-to-allow-all-others-to-be-that/) [Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/) > [By letting go, you allow everything to find it's rightful place. Once free, everything finds its way home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-brown/by-letting-go-you-allow-everything-to-find-it-s-rightful-place-once/) [Leon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-brown/) > [As long as a man's heart beats, as long as a man's flesh quivers, I do not allow that a being gifted with thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/as-long-as-a-man-s-heart-beats-as-long-as-a-man-s-flesh-quivers-i-do/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [Allow yourself to graduate, every five years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-guisewite/allow-yourself-to-graduate-every-five-years/) [Cathy Guisewite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-guisewite/) > [“A man will only do what you allow him to do,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kennedi-dior/a-man-will-only-do-what-you-allow-him-to-do/) [Kennedi Dior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kennedi-dior/) [Browse all 1,065 Allow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allow/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A computer can be a useful and indispensable tool. But if we allow it to devour our time with vain, unproductive, and sometimes destructive pursuits, it becomes an entangling net.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joseph B. Wirthlin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/a-computer-can-be-a-useful-and-indispensable-tool-but-if-we-allow-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Allow" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/a-computer-can-be-a-useful-and-indispensable-tool-but-if-we-allow-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d9/joseph-b-wirthlin-822_allow_a-computer-can-be-a-useful-and-indispens_3098372.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d9/joseph-b-wirthlin-822_allow_a-computer-can-be-a-useful-and-indispens_3098372.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d9/joseph-b-wirthlin-822_allow_a-computer-can-be-a-useful-and-indispens_3098372.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A computer can be a useful and indispensable tool. But if we allow it to devour our time with vain…” — Joseph B. Wirthlin", "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": "Joseph B. Wirthlin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A computer can be a useful...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/a-computer-can-be-a-useful-and-indispensable-tool-but-if-we-allow-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/a-computer-can-be-a-useful-and-indispensable-tool-but-if-we-allow-it/#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 } } ] } ```