The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (285 page)
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I
ice
An IDLE brain is the Devil's workshop
Quot. 1995 appears to conflate this proverb with
the DEVIL finds work for idle hands to do
.
a
1602
Works
(1603) 906
The idle bodie and the idle braine is the shoppe [workshop] of the deuill.
1732
Gnomologia
no. 3053
Idle Brains are the Devil's Workhouses.
1855
Hand-Book of Proverbs
311
An idle brain is the devil's workshop.
1859
Self-Help
viii.
Steady employment .. keeps one out of mischief, for truly an idle brain is the devil's workshop.
1930
Charlie Chan carries On
xxii.
Tell him to be [a] good boy and study hard. An idle brain is the devil's workshop.
1988
Design for Murder
ix.
‘Idle minds are the devil's workshop’. She lifted the watch and stared at it accusingly. ‘Five minutes after eight. Is no one else here?’
1995
Washington Times
18 May A20
‘Idle hands are the devil's workshop.’ That seems to be the attitude among President Clinton's Pentagon appointees who recently drafted plans to involve the military in domestic social programs …
idleness
;
wrong-doers
the DEVIL finds work for idle hands to do
.
a1602
Works
(1603) 906
The idle bodie and the idle braine is the shoppe [workshop] of the deuill.
1732
Gnomologia
no. 3053
Idle Brains are the Devil's Workhouses.
1855
Hand-Book of Proverbs
311
An idle brain is the devil's workshop.
1859
Self-Help
viii.
Steady employment .. keeps one out of mischief, for truly an idle brain is the devil's workshop.
1930
Charlie Chan carries On
xxii.
Tell him to be [a] good boy and study hard. An idle brain is the devil's workshop.
1988
Design for Murder
ix.
‘Idle minds are the devil's workshop’. She lifted the watch and stared at it accusingly. ‘Five minutes after eight. Is no one else here?’
1995
Washington Times
18 May A20
‘Idle hands are the devil's workshop.’ That seems to be the attitude among President Clinton's Pentagon appointees who recently drafted plans to involve the military in domestic social programs …
idleness;
wrong-doers
IDLE people have the least leisure
The corollary of
the BUSIEST men have the most leisure
.
1678
English Proverbs
(ed. 2) 161
Idle folks have the most labour.
1853
Sponge's Sporting Tour
lvii.
‘Got a great deal to do’, retorted Jog, who, like all thoroughly idle men, was always dreadfully busy.
1855
Hand-Book of Proverbs
414
Idle folks have the least leisure.
1908
Spectator
10 Oct. 535
The difference between leisureliness and laziness runs parallel with that between quickness and haste. ‘Idle people’, says the proverb, ‘have the least leisure.’
efficiency and inefficiency
;
idleness
the BUSIEST men have the most leisure
.
1678English Proverbs
(ed. 2) 161
Idle folks have the most labour.
1853
Sponge's Sporting Tour
lvii.
‘Got a great deal to do’, retorted Jog, who, like all thoroughly idle men, was always dreadfully busy.
1855
Hand-Book of Proverbs
414
Idle folks have the least leisure.
1908
Spectator
10 Oct. 535
The difference between leisureliness and laziness runs parallel with that between quickness and haste. ‘Idle people’, says the proverb, ‘have the least leisure.’
efficiency and inefficiency;
idleness
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