All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

"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

  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.