In Praise of Idleness !
"Modern methods of production have given us the possibility of ease and security for all; we have chosen,
instead, to have overwork for some and starvation for the others. Hitherto we have continued to
be as energetic as we were before there were machines; in this we have been foolish, but there
is no reason to go on being foolish for ever".
"A great deal of harm is being done in the modern world by belief in the virtuousness Of WORK,
and that the road to happiness and prosperity lies in an organized diminution of work".
"The wise use of leisure, it must be conceded, is a product of civilization and education. A
man who has worked long hours all his life will be bored if he becomes suddenly idle. But without
a considerable amount of leisure a man is cut off from many of the best things. There is no
longer any reason why the bulk of the population should suffer this deprivation; only a foolish
asceticism, usually vicarious., makes us continue to insist on work in excessive quantities now
that the need no longer exists.
Bertrand Russell In Praise Of Idleness ( Full text ) |
