Non-Fiction > Books > London, 1887 - Virginibus Puerisque, and other papers

1 1 6 An Apology for Idlers
has been a great deal in the open air, which
is the most salutary of all things for both
body and mind ; and if he has never read
the great Book in very recondite places, he
has dipped into it and skimmed it over to
excellent purpose. Might not the student
afford some Hebrew roots, and the business
man some of his half-crowns, for a share of
the idler's knowledge of life at large, and
Art of Living? Nay, and the idler has
another and more important quality than
these. I mean his wisdom. He who has
much looked on at the childish satisfaction
of other people in their hobbies, will regard
his own with only a very ironical indulgence.
He will not be heard among the dogmatists.
He will have a great and cool allowance
for all sorts of people and opinions. If he
finds no out-of-the-way truths, he will identify
himself with no very burning falsehood. His
way takes him along a by-road, not much
frequented, but very even and pleasant,
which is called Commonplace Lane, and
leads to the Belvedere of Commonsense.