Christopher Morley’s article “On Laziness” (1920) claims that being lazy can be much more beneficial than going the extra mile and being what is seen as an overachiever. Morley develops his claim by providing logical explanations how those who are slothful are truly happy; he supports his claim by using a very ironic and contradicting diction and examples of allusions. Although the purpose seems unclear, Morley is really trying to explain that sometimes being a conformist may be acceptable in order to fulfill a sense of joy and satisfaction rather than dwelling on failure and unhappiness after having tried to do more than what was needed. Morley’s entire essay is very both very ironic and contradicting. His introductory sentence explains that Morley intended to write an essay on laziness but was …show more content…
He supports this by stating that he who is meek is too modest to believe any benefit would arouse from his part, therefore is lazy and does nothing at all. Also, Morley refers to another allusion of Doctor Johnson and his letter to Lord Chesterfield claiming that it was his laziness that led to “the greatest triumph of Doctor Johnson’s life.” He then quoted Boswell explain that Johnson had neglected to write the letter by the appointed time, and Johnson’s exact words: “Now if any good comes of my addressing to Lord Chesterfield it will be ascribed to deep policy and address, when, in fact, it was only a casual excuse for laziness.” In addition to that, Morley makes a final reference to the old saying of “passing the buck,” claiming that lazy people do not pass the buck, instead “he lets the buck pass him”. Lazy people, according to Morley, much rather accept the blame for something than have to put an effort to fulfill a
They believe in “goofing off” because the day is too long in their opinion. Jordan also compares the mental attributes of heavy and thin when she talks about happiness; in “That Lean and Hungry Look”, the thin person portrays a bothersome trait, believing logic and 2,000-point plans lead to happiness, while the fat person is already aware that happiness is indefinable. Jordan uses these kinds of comparisons and contrast between fat and thin in the article to demonstrate the advantages of being fat that are not seen by most people, for they are under the impression that fat is always unattractive or unhappy.
To illustrate his points, Morley provides a lot of examples of words to establish his main purpose. An example would be “…every time we get into trouble it is due to not having been lazy enough.” This example shows Morley is telling how people are puts themselves more in their workplaces,
Morley ascribes the importance of Johnson's letter to Lord Chesterfield to his laziness, telling us "that it was sheer laziness that led to the greatest triumph of Doctor Johnson's life." By associating his own ideas on laziness with those of a respected doctor and master philosopher, Morley appears to have a good ethos himself. He is also associating laziness with accomplishment, and it is a commonplace of people to want to succeed. Underneath the irony, we grow aware that there is actually a disconnect between laziness and accomplishment, and that Johnson's laziness isn't actually responsible for his achievements. The device of allusion establishes Morley's trustworthy reputation, while also convincing the audience his own ideas are advantageous to
In the article “ The Busy Trap” Kreider tries to convince readers to chose time over money. He makes numerous points including how boasting about busyness takes the form of a complaint. He insults those who voluntarily take on obligations by remarking that they are obsessed with always being occupied. However, the basis for such a conclusion is founded on only a few examples of individuals who were negatively affected by the burden of work. In Kreider’s opinion it is wasteful to be busy all the time because life is too short to work more than 5 hours per day and not spend enough time in one’s happy place. What is your happy place? Picture it and stay there for a while letting your thoughts flow. Notice that your thinking becomes more positive and somewhat out of reach. Next, imagine a life with minimal stress that includes little to no work and much enjoyment; now you 're floating back to reality because that type of life is not in the grasps of most. Similarly, Kreider writes his article as if most people have plenty of time to waste, and to enjoy themselves, as he has. Kreider’s overall point that people keep themselves busy to escape the feelings of emptiness is both ignorant and a reflection of his narrow perspective of the world. His opinion that people feel apprehensive when not working, along with the fact that most people wouldn’t be content living the lifestyle Kreider is promoting, plus his support towards the propositions of full unemployment and a
Mankind must by this time have acquired positive beliefs as to the effects of some actions on their happiness; and the beliefs which have thus come down are the rules of morality for the multitude, and for the philosopher until he has succeeded in finding better. That philosophers might easily do this, even now, on many subjects; that the received code of ethics is by no means of divine right; and that mankind have still much to learn as to the effects of actions on general happiness, I admit or rather earnestly maintain.
In order to be happy, people must have a purpose in life. This theme is demonstrated through both symbolism and mood in the passages “Andy Lovell” by T.S. Arthur and “The Song of the Old Mother” by William Butler Yeats. Through these literary devices, the authors show that by not following your passion, you will eventually become miserable. Because of their powerful words, the reader gets a firm grasp on the importance of objectives in life.
In the article “Absurd Self-Fulfillment,” Feinberg offers his readers a close up examination of absurdity, self-fulfillment, and tries to show that every human life may contain some degree of each. He discusses how Richard Taylor, Albert Camus, and Thomas Nagel, each portray that there is indeed absurdity in all human beings, through the use of their own special qualifications. Taylor and Camus both conclude that there is no meaning to anything we do, and that the human condition is pointless and meaningless. They believe that absurd humans do whatever makes them happy, but before realizing the absurd, one is a slave of their own future goals. However, Nagel claims that absurdity results from the irresolvable clash between the importance people attach their lives too, and their capability of viewing themselves from a detached and impersonal perspective. Feinberg eventually adopts Nagel’s explanation of absurdity. Feinberg’s concept of self-fulfillment can be understood in the sense of doing what one is genetically inclined to do, which includes both one’s generic
The short story Lazy Lawrence by Maria Edgeworth, is intended to teach children, and was written with a positive tone. The story teaches its reasons through Jem who lives in the village of Ashton with mother, Preston. Edgeworth challenges children to aim for positive behaviors in Lazy Lawrence. Moreover, the story illustrates the morality of being persistent, caring and hardworking.
The short story “The Happy Man” by Naguib Mahfouz centers around a man haunted by his own happiness, something that would initially seem desirable but as the reader begins to discover; is anything but that. A similar example of something along the lines of this can be found in the TV-series by Justin Roiland; “Rick and Morty”, where main character Rick bears the burden of his vast intellect, further reinforcing the statement, “too much of something, is anything but a good thing”. Whether it be the shared themes of underlying depression, as well as the theme of absolute happiness, it is impossible to deny that both attempt to convey the message that the Goldilocks principle is applicable to human characteristics, and that the two respective
While, “ingenious philosophers tell you, perhaps, that the great work of the steam-engine is to create leisure for mankind. Do not believe them.” Eliot uses the word “ingenious” sarcastically to communicate that these philosophers are poorly mistaken. The author instead believes that these technological advancements are destroying mankind’s time for leisure. In modern society, “even idleness is eager now- eager for amusement.” The author argues that even in times of idleness, there is no relaxation in modern society because people always strive to be entertained. Eliot exclaims, “Fine old Leisure! Do not be severe upon him, and judge him by our modern standard.” The author is of the opinion that Old Leisure is just “fine” the way he is, and should not be compared to New Leisure, whose time is filled and life is rushed.
In his version of “The Seven Deadly Sins,” Doyle asks, “Couldn’t we start slowly, with sloth?” (51) This question is actually ironic because it is requesting to be even lazier than it is already perceiving to be, by starting “slowly”. The “sin” will ultimately become a habit when some begin and continuously bargain that “I will be lazy now, but I will work hard later” (Benton).
Now it is an unquestionable fact that those who are equally acquainted with, and equally capable of appreciating and enjoying both, do give a most marked preference to the manner of existence which employs their higher faculties. Few human creatures would consent to be changed into any of the lower animals, for the promise of the fullest allowance of a beast's pleasures; It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be a Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied. And if the fool, or the pig, is of a different opinion, it is because they know only their own side of the question. The other party to the comparison knows both sides.[MillJS:1863]
Procrastination is ignoring your responsibilities and avoiding them for no good reason. Experiencing procrastination can have a positive or negative reaction according to the amount of the behavior. The person that is procrastinating must first realize that they have a problem in order to find ways to overcome procrastination because they are putting their health, family and job at risk. Twenty percent of people realize they are procrastinators which in the end becomes a lifestyle. There are various reasons why people procrastinate.
However, those people with the means are reluctant to sacrifice an excessive amount that they would descend in status (Mill 89). Those who are of lower faculties #, and thus have less enjoyment, are more easily satisfied (Mill 90). Compared to their inferiors, people of higher classes continue to seek happiness and are never truly satisfied. Mill links this continuous search with dignity (Mill 90). Due to the sense of dignity, “someone will not feel envious of those who bear imperfections because he does not understand the benefits of those limitations” # (Mill 91). In explaining this concept, Mill compares a human being dissatisfied to a pig satisfied and Socrates dissatisfied to a fool satisfied. The pig and fool reason that they are well-off, but the human being and Socrates know they are superior because they are further educated (Mill 91).
The amount of laziness a human exhibits seems to have a positive correlation with the amount of pollution that the human gives off. The start of human laziness dates back all the to the start of the human race. Research has shown that humans are biologically born with laziness, but the amount of laziness differs between humans (Hreha). The greatest danger to the environment is human laziness.