2 of 17

Write now Article Tools

Do idle hands make mischief? Absolutely. Does boredom "cause" evil? No, it does not, but it sure does provide a fertile playground for the possibilities. Probably just as many idle hands have come up with constructive things to relieve their boredom as those who have turned to mischief and/or evil.

Most often, when children are too idle and become bored, they come up with things to do. More often than not, it probably does involve mischief. However, mischief is not evil. One implies a playful misdeed while the other implies a total abandonment of principle. It is not only a matter of semantics, but one of degree.

When my hands (or mind) are idle, I find something constructive to do. I may read, work puzzles or go for a walk. I do not resort to evil in any degree, and I don't believe most others out there do either. I guess I'm saying that it's what you do when your hands are idle that makes the difference in whether you turn to evil or turn to good distractions.

When Newton met a falling apple, he was technically idle. And yet in that moment, he made an incredible discovery that would change the way we view the world forever. Sometimes Idle hands give time for an active mind and true creative thinking.

In the world today, people are always rushing from one place to another. They want entertained and want to stay busy all the time. Sometimes, idle hands are just someone sitting in peace enjoying life in the slow lane, idling the day away just because they can.

Idle hands could be stilled over a beautiful flower, taking time to savor the beauty and the scent of God's creation. They could hover idle over the sweet head of a new-born baby, taking in the wonder of new life.

Whatever they do, idle hands are not always a bad thing. Sometimes, idle hands are the ones that take the time to love you or help you in some way. Like the idle hands of a grandmother rocking her beloved grandchild, they pause along the way in a busy world to provide peace in the midst of turmoil and love in the midst of an evil world.

No, boredom does not cause evil: evil causes evil. If a person has a bent toward evil, he will find evil to do whether he is idle or not. If a person does not have a bent toward evil, he will use his boredom and idle hands to explore the world around him and bring help and hope to many too busy to stop and smell those roses along the way.

Learn more about this author, Angela S. Young.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about When idle hands make mischief: Deciding if boredom causes evil?
We want to hear your view. Write now!