Devil makes work for idle hands.
Devil makes work for idle hands.
Meaning in plain English
The saying has the devil find work for idle hands. It warns that unused time may be directed toward harmful conduct.
Example
Someone considers a constructive use of free time without judging another person for resting.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The religious personification makes the warning vivid. A critical reading considers what someone chooses to do without treating unemployment, rest or leisure as proof of wrongdoing. The supplied trouble claim is not evidence that people without work are morally deficient.
When to use it
Use it to examine conduct during unused time without blaming inactivity itself.
Keep in mind
No necessary link between leisure or unemployment and wrongdoing is established.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 562; PDF page 81
Reuse and collection notes ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · supplied collection
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
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