All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

proverb suggesting that lack of free time encourages lack of spirit

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" is a proverb. It means that if a person does not take time off from work, they will become both bored and boring.[1]

The saying in its current form first appeared in James Howell's Proverbs in English, Italian, French and Spanish (1659).[2] Some writers have added a second part to the saying, such as Maria Edgeworth in her book Harry and Lucy Concluded (1825):

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,
All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy.

References

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  1. Benham, W. Gurney (1926). Putnam's Complete Book of Quotations, Proverbs, and Household Words. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.
  2. "JamHowell Quotes and Quotations". Famous Quotes and Authors.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2010.