Boredom Quote by Sinclair Lewis
““- What do you expect? Think we were sent into the world to have a soft time and what is it? Float on flowery beds of ease? Think Man was just made to be happy? - Why not? Though I've never discovered anybody that knew what the deuce Man really was made for! - Well, we know not just in the Bible alone, but it stands to reason a man who doesn't buckle down and do his duty, even if it does bore him sometimes, is nothing but a... well, he's simply a weakling. Mollycoddle, in fact! And what do you advocate? Come down to cases! If a man is bored by his wife, do you seriously mean he has a right to chuck her and take a sneak, or even kill himself? - Good Lord, I don't know what 'rights' a man has! And I don't know the solution of boredom. If I did, I'd be the one philosopher that had the cure for living. But I do know that about ten times as many people find their lives dull, and unnecessarily dull, as ever admit it; and I do believe that if we busted out and admitted it sometimes, instead of being nice and patient and loyal for sixty years, and then nice and patient and dead for the rest of eternity, why, maybe, possibly, we might make life more fun.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Main Street, 1920
The speaker argues that life’s purpose requires effort and responsibility, not idle comfort, and that boredom stems from avoiding duty.
In simple terms: Life needs effort, not just ease.
Key Takeaway
Embrace responsibility, avoid complacency.
Themes
purpose
responsibility
existential
boredom
effort
Mood
reflective
serious
motivational
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career
- marriage
- personal growth
- creative projects
Key Concepts
existentialism
work ethic
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What duties are you neglecting?
- How can purposeful work alleviate boredom?
A Different Perspective
Boredom can also be a sign of deeper dissatisfaction, not just laziness.
