エセー05 怠ける人

(Just as we see that fallow land, if rich and fertile, teems with a hundred thousand kinds of weeds)

Just as we see that fallow land, if rich and fertile, teems with a hundred thousand kinds of weeds

(and that to set it to work, we must sow it with certain seeds.)

and that to set it to work, we must sow it with certain seeds.

(So it is with minds. Unless you keep them busy with some definite subject that will bridle and control them,)

So it is with minds. Unless you keep them busy with some definite subject that will bridle and control them,

(they throw themselves in disorder in the vague of imagination.)

they throw themselves in disorder in the vague of imagination.

(Like a sick man's dreams, they form vain visions. Horace)

Like a sick man's dreams, they form vain visions. Horace

(And there is no mad or idle fancy that they do not bring forth in this lazy mood.)

And there is no mad or idle fancy that they do not bring forth in this lazy mood.

(The soul that has no fixed goal loses itself, for as they say,)

The soul that has no fixed goal loses itself, for as they say,

(to be everywhere is to be nowhere:)

to be everywhere is to be nowhere:

(He who dwells everywhere dwells nowhere.)

He who dwells everywhere dwells nowhere.

(When I retired, I determined I could do my mind entertain itself in full idleness.)

When I retired, I determined I could do my mind entertain itself in full idleness.

(But I find idle hours breed wandering thoughts.)

But I find idle hours breed wandering thoughts.

(Idleness gives itself a hundred times more trouble than it took for others,)

Idleness gives itself a hundred times more trouble than it took for others,

(and gives birth to so many chimeras and fantastic monsters, one after another.)

and gives birth to so many chimeras and fantastic monsters, one after another.