In Praise of Idleness
In Praise of Idleness
Bertrand Russell
Ed Cooke
A great book. - Ed Cooke
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In Praise of Idleness

In Praise of Idleness and Other Essays

Bertrand Russell
By
Bertrand Russell
4.0
6873
ratings on Goodreads

In "In Praise of Idleness," Bertrand Russell challenges the conventional glorification of work, advocating for leisure's critical role in cultivating a rich, humanistic society. With his characteristic wit and profound insight, Russell deconstructs the work ethic that binds individuals to incessant labor, arguing instead for a balanced life where leisure is not only allowed but encouraged. Through a series of essays, Russell explores the socio-economic structures that perpetuate the cycle of work, proposing a revolutionary shift towards a more leisurely approach to life. His arguments for reducing the workday and redistributing wealth to enable more free time for personal and cultural growth resonate today, offering a visionary perspective on how we might achieve a more equitable, fulfilling, and peaceful world. Russell's eloquent prose and sharp analytical skills make "In Praise of Idleness" a timeless read that continues to provoke thought and inspire change. He delves into the implications of idleness, not as a vice but as a means to achieve a more creative, enlightened, and sustainable society. By examining the intersections of work, leisure, and happiness, Russell invites readers to reconsider their own lives and the societal norms that define them. This seminal work remains a crucial critique of modernity, advocating for a life that values the beauty of doing nothing as a pathway to true contentment and freedom.

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Released
1935
1 Jan
Length
192
Pages

1

recommendations

recommendation

A great book. - Ed Cooke
A habit of finding pleasure in thought rather than action is a safeguard against unwisdom and excessive love of power, a means of preserving serenity in misfortune and peace of mind among worries. A life confined to what is personal is likely, sooner or later, to become unbearably painful; it is only by windows into a larger and less fretful cosmos that the more tragic parts of life become endurable.
— Bertrand Russell, In Praise of Idleness

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