“A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. There will be sleeping enough in the grave.”
- January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790
- American
- Polymath, Founding Father of the United States, Inventor, Diplomat, Writer
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Quote
“A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. There will be sleeping enough in the grave.”
Explanation
In this quote, Benjamin Franklin draws a clear distinction between leisure, which he sees as earned rest or purposeful relaxation, and laziness, which he views as idleness and wasted time. The statement “there will be sleeping enough in the grave” serves as a stark reminder of life’s brevity, urging people to use their time actively and meaningfully while they can.
Franklin, a tireless advocate for industry and self-improvement, believed that leisure should be the reward of hard work, not a substitute for it. In the 18th century, when survival often depended on diligence and personal initiative, he viewed laziness not only as impractical but as a moral failing. This quote, like many in Poor Richard’s Almanack, is both motivational and cautionary: don’t confuse comfort with neglect, or rest with avoidance of responsibility.
In today’s culture, where work-life balance is a pressing issue, Franklin’s insight offers a nuanced perspective. He doesn’t reject leisure, but warns against letting ease turn into inertia. His words remind us that life is finite, and that our time is best spent in productive, enriching, and intentional pursuits—reserving rest not as a lifestyle, but as a well-earned pause.
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