It is idleness that is the curse of man - not labour. Idleness eats the heart out of men as of nations, and consumes them as rust does iron.

Guilt upon the conscience, like rust upon iron, both defiles and consumes it, gnawing and creeping into it, as that does which at last eats out the very heart and substance of the metal.

Idleness of the mind is much worse than that of the body: wit, without employment, is a disease - the rust of the soul, a plague, a hell itself.

Idleness is to the human mind like rust to iron.

He who labours not, cannot enjoy the reward of labour.

Labour may be a burden and a chastisement, but it is also an honour and a glory. Without it, nothing can be accomplished.