can anyone help me with an essay for this quote: an idle man is the devil's workshop?

Answer 1

I'm not going to write an essay for you, but I will give you some examples....

Think cause and effect:
A person who sits idle and does nothing... such as working, may become a thief for the food or the things he/she wants since that person cannot buy the things due to not working to earn any money. They become "moochers", and are rejected... their self asteem is effected, others don't want them around to mooch from them. They start doing things for attention, like fighting, or drugs, or sex... they have become a "devil's workshop"

Or... Say a person has been hurt, someone that would just sit there and watch them suffer would be considered evil, while the person who get's up and helps the person would not be considered evil.

Hope this helps you understand the quote a little better.

Answer 2

The quote is not about an "idle MAN." It's an idle MIND.
And I believe it's an adaptation of a verse in Proverbs.

So, "An idle MIND is the devil's workshop."

The quote is the summary of the "Protestant" or "Puritan" work ethic: If one is not engaged in something (anything) meaningful, then one's thoughts (then actions) are more free to roam. People get into trouble--of many sorts--by picking up ideas from others, from what they piece together from others, and from those 'others' looking for people to use.
It's along the lines of, "Stand for something, or you'll fall for anything."
If one is dedicated to meaningful work or play, then one's thoughts cannot be seduced by interesting-sounding ideas that may have little substance behind them.
The first step to trouble is an idea. Not that all ideas are trouble! Rather, we have an idea to do something, believe someone, go somewhere--before we actually DO it. If our MIND is idle, it's way easier to have thoughts that wander into places that, if our bodies or actions actually follow, will put us in places that could cause us trouble of one sort or another.
The origins of the belief are in the protestant movement away from the focus on "good works" by the Catholic church. Look at the link I'll put below for more information.

It's an interesting essay topic; you have a good assignment. The advice to use a personal example of something that happened as a result of boredom is good, if it's a personal essay that's been assigned. That type is usually assigned first in the year because it's the easiest type, but expository or explanatory essays are often assigned first. You don't say what kind you're supposed to produce.

If expository, then the idea of looking at crime stats by some segment of homeless population is good, as would be crime stats of truants: kids who skip school.

It's also possible to research and comment on the so-called "stress culture" here in the States that results from our focus on defining 'success' by a measure of one's financial worth and display of wealth.

Like I said; it's an interesting assignment for beginnng of the year. Your teacher has some imagination; you ARE lucky that way! ;-)

Answer 3

Go visit the local police, and see if you can't get some information on cases of vandalism. I remember when I was a kid, most vandalism was a result of teenagers being bored.

If you'll think back to the Clinton years, there was a program called "midnight basketball", and the whole idea was to give teenagers something to do other than look for trouble.

Answer 4

How about homelessness in the USA and the link with crime? Go to your library, there are professionals waiting. Or Just call.

"The E'Ville Librarian"

Answer 5

is it a personal essay? if so- write about a time you got yourself into trouble because you were bored...if its a factual one- you could do a little research into drug/alcohol related crimes...or look at the "Jackass-type" shows/movies that are out there...