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None so little enjoy themselves, and are such burdens to themselves, as those who have nothing to do. Only the active have the true relish of life.
William Jennings Bryan
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Idleness leads to dissatisfaction, while being active brings joy in life.

William Jennings Bryan suggests that people who lack engagement in meaningful activities often find themselves burdened by their own thoughts and unhappiness. In contrast, those who lead active lives gain a genuine appreciation and enjoyment of life's experiences.

Themes

ActivityEnjoymentLifeEngagementWork

In practice

Example use cases

During a speech about productivity at work, someone might quote this to emphasize the importance of being engaged.

More from William Jennings Bryan

Service is the measure of greatness; it always has been true; it is true today, and it always will be true, that he is greatest who does the most of good. Nearly all of our controversies and combats grow out of the fact that we are trying to get something from each other--there will be peace when our aim is to do something for each other. The human measure of a human life is its income; the divine measure of a life is its outgo, its overflow--its contribution to the welfare of all.
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Our government, conceived in liberty and purchased with blood, can be preserved only by constant vigilance. May we guard it as our children's richest legacy, for what shall it profit our nation if it shall gain the whole world and lose “the spirit that prizes liberty as the heritage of all men in all lands everywhere”?
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If we steal a man's purse we are thieves. If we steal twelve hundred islands we are patriots. If you steal a man's money you will be sent to the penitentiary. If you steal his liberty you will be sent to the White House.
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Behold a republic standing erect while empires all around are bowed beneath the weight of their own armaments - a republic whose flag is loved while other flags are only feared.
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This is not a contest between persons. The humblest citizen in all the land, when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of error. I come to you in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of liberty - the cause of humanity.
William Jennings BryanRead
Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.
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Quote by William Jennings Bryan | QuoteProject