idleness

eat the bread of idleness

To eat food that one has not personally earned. The phrase originated in the Bible. I refuse to eat the bread of idleness.
See also: bread, eat, idleness, of

idleness is the root of all evil

proverb When one has nothing to do, one is more likely to get into trouble. When I'm off from school, my grandmother is always trying to get me out of the house, while reminding me that idleness is the root of all evil.
See also: all, evil, idleness, of, root
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

Idleness is the root of all evil.

Prov. If you have no useful work to do, you will think of harmful things to do in order to amuse yourself. (Compare this with Money is the root of all evil.) Child: Why do you make me do so many chores? Father: Idleness is the root of all evil.
See also: all, evil, Idleness, of, root
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

eat the bread of idleness

eat food that you have not worked for. literary
This phrase appears in the description of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:27: ‘She…eateth not the bread of idleness’.
See also: bread, eat, idleness, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • eat the bread of idleness
  • bread is the staff of life
  • break bread
  • break bread with
  • break bread with (someone)
  • someone's bread and butter
  • your bread and butter
  • bread and butter
  • long bread
  • brown bread
References in periodicals archive
More time was spent in idleness while standing (p < 0.01) by 3/4 HG animals when compared to the others.
Most prisoners, not really their fault, lead a life of enforced, bored idleness, where for the majority of them even getting out of bed is voluntary.
It seems that people will opt for idleness when they're given no reason to be busy, though the choice also means they'll be less happy.
After the obligatory establishing of terms, including the expected, essential exploration of the history of the word "work," Rutter lays out the theoretical underpinnings of social class in England with regard to concepts of "labor" and "idleness." Rutter explains by way of David Aers that in the medieval period the concept of society involved "the tripartite division into those who pray, those who fight and those who labour to maintain fighters and praysters" (11).
The benefits of idleness include contemplation, relaxation and reflection, which, in turn, decrease stress, increase idea generation, improve clarity and help resolve issues that may be bothering you.
A statement from the bank's rate setting committee said, 'Considering the monetary easing implemented since January and, on the other hand, the margin of idleness in economic capacity, among other factors, the committee sees this level of benchmark interest rate as consistent with a scenario for benign inflation.'
The series, entitled Industry and Idleness, follows Goodchild as he works at his loom, sings at church, marries his master's daughter, and becomes free to practise as a journeyman weaver.
The sheer pace of business in the Emirates, the acutely competitive nature of the work, the exhausting heat, and now the credit crunch, applying huge extra pressures of uncertainty, financial disruption and the daunting prospect of idleness. A Depression Awareness Week for Dubai seemed timely indeed.
For centuries the English language has been hard at work cataloguing the infinite variety of human idleness. A glossary of these terms would be not just a boon to writers everywhere, but a critical catalogue of work-ethic subversions.
Studies have shown that obesity, idleness and too much sugary soda and fruit juice can increase risk of contracting the disease.
I'm worried that she's just a born skiver who's hoping I'll keep her in idleness. I don't earn enough and I'm not prepared to.
1540) points out to Wit that he should be able to judge how much more worthy a companion she is than Idleness simply on the grounds of their names (p.
"Despair is a thing of time, a commodity of idleness or wealth.
In trying to set an example to my two grandsons, do I advocate a life of unproductive idleness or exhort them to work their fingers to the bone?
of Classics at Trinity College, Dublin) calls "the Greek praise of poverty." Describing at length classical attitudes that esteemed virtues thought to be inspired by poverty, such as industry, honesty, frugality, and temperance, and condemned flaws associated with wealth, such as idleness, injustice, arrogance, The Greek Praise Of Poverty casts new light on ancient perspectives.