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Editorial
June 26, 1795
Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
This editorial explores the weariness of life among idle individuals in comfortable circumstances, attributing it to lack of purposeful activity. It argues that humans are designed by the Creator for occupation, and idleness leads to self-burden; the remedy is virtuous employment to find happiness.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
EXTRACT.
On the Cause of Men's being weary of Life.
The weariness of life is often found among the idle; persons commonly in easy circumstances of fortune, who were not engaged in any of the laborious occupations of the world, and who are, at the same time, without energy of mind to call them forth into any other line of active exertion. In this languid, or rather torpid state, they have so many vacant hours, and are so much at a loss how to fill up their time, that their spirits utterly sink; they become burdensome to themselves, and to every one around them; and drag with pain the load of existence. What a convincing proof is hereby afforded, that man was designed by his Creator to be an active being, whose happiness is to be found not merely in rest, but in occupation and pursuit. The idle are doomed to suffer the natural punishment of their inactivity and folly; and for their complaints of the tiresomeness of life there is no remedy but to wake from the dream of sloth, and to fill up with proper employment the miserable vacancies of their days. Let them study to become less burdensome to themselves. They shall begin to enjoy existence;— they shall reap the rewards which Providence has annexed to virtuous activity; and have no more cause to say, My soul is weary of my life.
On the Cause of Men's being weary of Life.
The weariness of life is often found among the idle; persons commonly in easy circumstances of fortune, who were not engaged in any of the laborious occupations of the world, and who are, at the same time, without energy of mind to call them forth into any other line of active exertion. In this languid, or rather torpid state, they have so many vacant hours, and are so much at a loss how to fill up their time, that their spirits utterly sink; they become burdensome to themselves, and to every one around them; and drag with pain the load of existence. What a convincing proof is hereby afforded, that man was designed by his Creator to be an active being, whose happiness is to be found not merely in rest, but in occupation and pursuit. The idle are doomed to suffer the natural punishment of their inactivity and folly; and for their complaints of the tiresomeness of life there is no remedy but to wake from the dream of sloth, and to fill up with proper employment the miserable vacancies of their days. Let them study to become less burdensome to themselves. They shall begin to enjoy existence;— they shall reap the rewards which Providence has annexed to virtuous activity; and have no more cause to say, My soul is weary of my life.
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
Idleness
Weariness Of Life
Active Occupation
Virtuous Activity
Moral Punishment
Sloth
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Causes Of Weariness Of Life Due To Idleness
Stance / Tone
Moral Exhortation Against Idleness
Key Arguments
Weariness Of Life Afflicts The Idle In Easy Circumstances Lacking Mental Energy For Exertion.
Vacant Hours Lead To Sinking Spirits And Burden To Self And Others.
Proof That Man Is Designed By Creator For Active Occupation And Pursuit, Not Mere Rest.
Idle Suffer Natural Punishment Of Inactivity; Remedy Is To Awaken From Sloth And Employ Time Properly.
Virtuous Activity Brings Enjoyment Of Existence And Rewards From Providence.