“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop” is an old saying of which we all are familiar. Some think it is based upon Proverbs 16:27-29 although most translations would not render that meaning. It has been a familiar saying for centuries because it has an element of truth.
A character in Charles Dickens’ novel David Copperfield, Mr. Wickfield, has a different view of this saying
Satan finds some mischief still, for busy hand to do. The busy people achieve their full share of mischief in the world, you may rely on it. What have people been about, who have been the busiest in getting money, and in getting power, this century or two? No mischief? [1]
Regardless of our station in life, the Bible has our tendencies pegged. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9 ESV).
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[1] Charles Dickens. David Copperfield. Kindle Edition, chapter 16, Loc 3928.
