Amusement

Persons without minds are like bad weeds that delight in good earth; they want to be amused by others, all the more because they are dull within.

— Amusement

The very beginning of the soul’s purgation is tranquility, in which the tongue is not given to discussing the affairs of men, nor the eyes to contemplating rosy cheeks or comely bodies, nor the ears to lowering the tone of the soul by listening to songs whose sole object is to amuse, or to words spoken by wits and buffoons—a practice which above all things tends to relax the tone of the soul.

— Amusement

The ascetic Gotama … avoids watching dancing, singing, music and shows.

— Amusement

The inhabitants have a right to take their amusements in a lawful way.

— Amusement

They have a secret instinct which impels them to seek amusement and occupation abroad, and which arises from the sense of their constant unhappiness. They have another secret instinct, a remnant of the greatness of our original nature, which teaches them that happiness in reality consists only in rest and not in stir.

— Amusement

In our bourgeois Western world total labor has vanquished leisure. Unless we regain the art of silence and insight, the ability for non-activity, unless we substitute true leisure for our hectic amusements, we will destroy our culture—and ourselves.

— Amusement

What a man is by himself, what accompanies him into solitude, and what no one can give to him or take from him is obviously more essential to him than everything he possesses, or even what he may be in the eyes of others. A man of intellect, when entirely alone, has excellent entertainment in his own thoughts and fancies, whereas the continuous diversity of parties, plays, excursions, and amusements cannot ward off from the dullard the tortures of boredom.

— Amusement

Dancing, the theatre, society, card-playing, games of chance, horses, women, drinking, traveling, and so on … are not enough to ward off boredom where intellectual pleasures are rendered impossible by lack of intellectual needs.

— Amusement

If variety is sought in all the arts and amusements, such as archery and others, how much more should it be sought after in the art of love.

— Amusement

After a few days, Willie got tired of [the water-wheel] — and no blame to him, for it was no earthly use beyond amusement, and that which can only amuse can never amuse long.

— Amusement

It was an old, old, old, old lady,Was beautiful to see.

— Amusement

So good things may be abused, and that which was first invented to refresh men's weary spirits.

— Amusement

I am a great friend to public amusements; for they keep people from vice.

— Amusement

Play up, play up, and play the game.

— Amusement

Hail, blest Confusion! here are metThe Brahmin talks of races.

— Amusement

Where is our usual manager of mirth?To ease the anguish of a torturing hour?

— Amusement

We cry for mercy to the next amusement,The next amusement mortgages our fields.

— Amusement

Amusements are to religion like breezes of air to the flame; gentle ones will fan it, but strong ones will put it out.

— Amusement

Any pleasure which takes and keeps the heart from God is sinful, and unless forsaken, will be fatal to the soul.

— Amusement

People should be guarded against temptation to unlawful pleasures by furnishing them the means of innocent ones. In every community there must be pleasures, relaxations, and means of agreeable excitement; and if innocent are not furnished, resort will be had to criminal. Man was made to enjoy as well as labor; and the state of society should be adapted to this principle of human nature.

— Amusement

Recreation is not the highest kind of enjoyment; but in its time and place it is quite as proper as prayer.

— Amusement