Better be idle than ill employed.
Meaning: Doing nothing wisely surpasses doing something harmful or wasteful to yourself and others.
Origin: Recorded in A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases, an undated collection published in London by Whittaker & Co. around 1880 and credited to Thomas Preston. Its earlier history hasn't been traced.
More proverbs about Challenge
- Idleness is the root of all evil. — Lack of productive activity breeds vice, as unoccupied minds and hands naturally drift to…
- It is an ill bird that defiles its own nest. — Betraying your family or community harms the very foundation of your own security and bel…
- Tis an ill dog that deserves not a bone. — Even the most troublesome dog has earned some small reward through its service or loyalty.
- He who hath no ill fortune, is dazed with good. — Unrelenting prosperity blinds people to reality; adversity provides necessary clarity and…
- When ill luck falls asleep, let nobody wake her. — Avoid disturbing a period of bad fortune by taking unnecessary action; silence and stilln…
- Nothing is impossible to a willing mind. — Determination and mental resolve can overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable through…
From our idioms
- uit zijn plaat gaan — To lose control of oneself or go crazy.
- ge järnet — Exert maximum effort; give one's all.
- ta sig vatten över huvudet — Get in over one's head; take on more than one can manage.