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Pray thee, spare, thyself at times: for it becomes a wise man sometimes to relax the high pressure of his attention to work.
Thomas Aquinas
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Interpretation

What this quote means

It is important for wise individuals to take breaks from intense focus on work.

In this quote, Thomas Aquinas emphasizes the necessity for individuals, especially those engaged in serious and demanding work, to pause and give themselves a moment of rest. Constant pressure and rigorous attention can lead to burnout, and taking time to relax is essential for maintaining mental clarity and overall well-being. Recognizing that even the most diligent of workers need to step back occasionally is a mark of wisdom.

Themes

RestWorkRelaxationWisdomAttention

In practice

Example use cases

In a workshop on productivity, you might say, 'As Thomas Aquinas advises, we must spare ourselves time to avoid burnout.'

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To bear with patience wrongs done to oneself is a mark of perfection, but to bear with patience wrongs done to someone else is a mark of imperfection and even of actual sin.
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A little wisdom, now and then

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Quote by Thomas Aquinas | QuoteProject