Origin
Though the spirit of the proverb had been expressed previously, the modern saying appeared first in James Howell’s Proverbs in English, Italian, French and Spanish (1659), and was included in later collections of proverbs. It also appears in Howell’s Paroimiographia (1659).
Explanation
It means that without time off work, a person becomes both bored and boring. Hard and industrious work is necessary to achieve our goals in life. But concentration on work alone with no recreation tends to make a person dull and unsociable. The mind’s constitution is such that it can work for a long time. But at the same time, proper relaxation is absolutely necessary to keep it from getting overtaxed. An overtaxed mind loses all social spirit making the personality dull. Often children are made to study their lessons continuously so as to get good results in examinations. But this rather tends to make a child just a bookworm with no social abilities. Furthermore, a relaxed mind is rejuvenated. It retrieves all its capacities to absorb knowledge after proper recreation. Recreation revitalizes the mind’s inborn abilities. That is why we stress extra-curricular activities in school routine. A balanced scheme of work and recreation is the proper way to keep the mind in fine shape.
Examples
Don’t come to the office this weekend. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
I’d like to take a week’s vacation next month. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Shopping Cart
