Idleness is the root of all evil.

Meaning: Lack of productive activity breeds vice, as unoccupied minds and hands naturally drift toward harmful behavior.

Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.

More proverbs about Challenge

• 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…
• He that hath many irons in the fire, some of them will cool. — Pursuing too many simultaneous projects reduces focus and causes some efforts to lose mom…

← Back to Proverbs

Loading the full interactive collection…