QuoteProject
None so little enjoy themselves, and are such burdens to themselves, as those who have nothing to do. Only the active have the true relish of life.
William Jennings Bryan
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Idleness leads to dissatisfaction, while being active brings joy in life.

William Jennings Bryan suggests that people who lack engagement in meaningful activities often find themselves burdened by their own thoughts and unhappiness. In contrast, those who lead active lives gain a genuine appreciation and enjoyment of life's experiences.

Themes

ActivityEnjoymentLifeEngagementWork

In practice

Example use cases

During a speech about productivity at work, someone might quote this to emphasize the importance of being engaged.

More from William Jennings Bryan

Service is the measure of greatness; it always has been true; it is true today, and it always will be true, that he is greatest who does the most of good. Nearly all of our controversies and combats grow out of the fact that we are trying to get something from each other--there will be peace when our aim is to do something for each other. The human measure of a human life is its income; the divine measure of a life is its outgo, its overflow--its contribution to the welfare of all.
William Jennings BryanRead
Our government, conceived in liberty and purchased with blood, can be preserved only by constant vigilance. May we guard it as our children's richest legacy, for what shall it profit our nation if it shall gain the whole world and lose “the spirit that prizes liberty as the heritage of all men in all lands everywhere”?
William Jennings BryanRead
If we steal a man's purse we are thieves. If we steal twelve hundred islands we are patriots. If you steal a man's money you will be sent to the penitentiary. If you steal his liberty you will be sent to the White House.
William Jennings BryanRead
Behold a republic standing erect while empires all around are bowed beneath the weight of their own armaments - a republic whose flag is loved while other flags are only feared.
William Jennings BryanRead
This is not a contest between persons. The humblest citizen in all the land, when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of error. I come to you in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of liberty - the cause of humanity.
William Jennings BryanRead
Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.
William Jennings BryanRead

Similar quotes

Each of us is meant to have a character all our own, to be what no other can exactly be, and do what no other can exactly do.
William Ellery ChanningRead
My description of wisdom has nothing to do with benevolence and righteousness, it is to do with being wise in one's own virtue, nothing more. My description of being has nothing to do with benevolence and righteousness, it is that one should be led by one's innate nature, nothing more.
ZhuangziRead
Rid of craving and without clinging, an expert in the study of texts, and understanding the right sequence of the words, he may indeed be called "In his last body", "Great in wisdom" and a "Great man."
Gautama BuddhaRead
No one would look at an infant baby asleep, and say 'What a lazy baby!' We know sleeping is non-negotiable for a baby. But that notion is quickly abandoned.
Matthew WalkerRead
The questions you ask consistently will create either enervation or enjoyment, indignation or inspiration, misery or magic. Ask the questions that will uplift your spirit and push you along the path of human excellence
Tony RobbinsRead
You are the people who are shaping a better world. One of the secrets of inner peace is the practice of compassion.
Dalai LamaRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.