387 words short essay on Leisure (free to read). These words of W. H. Davies have become proverbial. What is leisure? Leisure is different from idleness. Idleness is just marking one’s time.
But leisure means rest which is of significance only if one has already done some hard work. Thus leisure prepares the human body and mind for more work. In his book, “In praise of Idleness,” Bertrand Russell has used the word “idleness” for leisure. He believes that time spent for leisure is not wasted. Leisure is essential to increase efficiency and to improve the quality of work done. The famous political thinker, Harold Lake, pleads for occasional leisure to the workers to enable them to work and live better lives.
Hoe human body is, after all, a machine created by nature. Brain is an integral part of human body. The body and the mind get tired after hard continuous work. Just as every machine requires some rest after having been put to use for some time, human body and mind also need rest. Rest and leisure act like a lubricant in the machine without which the machine’s life would be reduced because of friction and attrition.
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Leisure, however, does not mean freedom from activities of all kinds. It only means diversion. A physical worker can read some absorbing or hilarious book during hours of leisure. An intellectual worker may play some light game. If weather permits, one may have a walk outside. Otherwise, some indoor game may be pursued. All hobbies like gardening, photography, reading, sight-seeing etc. are actually different versions of leisure.
One should, however remember that 84 hours of leisure should not be too long and too frequent. Leisure is only supplementary and complementary to work. It is work which comes first. The same is the lesson for the students. They should play games but not at the cost of studies. It is said, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” At the same time, it may be said “All play and no work makes Jack a dullard.”
Leisure must be spent usefully and constructively only; otherwise the Devil will take the better of you. One should keep oneself aloof from those who indulge in gambling, drinking etc. in the name of leisure.