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About this quote

What does it mean?
Idleness leads to decline in skills or vitality.
In plain terms
If you stop working, you get worse.
What can you take from it?
Stay active to maintain ability.

Where it applies

  • learning
  • career
  • health

Putting it to work

  • keep practicing
  • stay busy
  • avoid complacency

Questions to consider

  • What happens if you stop?
  • Are you resting too much?

Another view

Rest is sometimes necessary for recovery.

More from Helen Hayes

  1. People who refuse to rest honorably on their laurels when they reach 'retirement' age seem very admirable to me.

    Permalink to quote #4
  2. Actors cannot choose the manner in which they are born. Consequently, it is the one gesture in their lives completely devoid of self-consciousness.

    Permalink to quote #6
  3. An actress always knows when she's hit it and mostly you haven't; but once or twice I think I hit it right, so maybe that's good enough for one life.

    Permalink to quote #3

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