The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (70 page)
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The BUSIEST men have the most leisure
Complementary to
IDLE people have the least leisure
. Cf.
1866
S. SMILES
Self-Help
(new ed.) i. Those who have most to do .. will find the most time.
1884
Canon's Ward
II. xxxiv.
It is my experience that the men who are really busiest have the most leisure for everything.
1911
Times Literary Supplement
6 Oct. 365
The busiest men have always the most leisure; and while discharging the multifarious duties of a parish priest and a guardian he found time for travelling.
IDLE people have the least leisure
. Cf.
1866
S. SMILES
Self-Help
(new ed.) i. Those who have most to do .. will find the most time.
1884Canon's Ward
II. xxxiv.
It is my experience that the men who are really busiest have the most leisure for everything.
1911
Times Literary Supplement
6 Oct. 365
The busiest men have always the most leisure; and while discharging the multifarious duties of a parish priest and a guardian he found time for travelling.
BUSINESS before pleasure
The two nouns are frequently contrasted in other, non-proverbial, expressions, Cf.
c
1640
Grobiana's Nuptials
(
MS Bodley 30
) 15 Well to the business.—On; businesse is senior to complement;
1767
T. HUTCHINSON
Diary & Letters
(1883) I.v. Pleasure should always give way to business.
1837
Stokeshill Place
III. vi.
‘Business before pleasure’ is a golden rule which most of us regard as iron.
1943
Down among Dead Men
v.
This is business, Sarge. You know what business comes before.
1976
&
M.A.S.H. goes to San Francisco
xiii.
‘Oh, how nice! And I think about you, too, But business before pleasure, as I always say.’
1986
Strangled Prose
vi.
Douglas drifted past with the department chairman, engrossed in conversation. He gave me a quick nod, but steered his captive toward a sofa. Business before pleasure.
1997
Evans Above
xxii. 232
‘I think I should buy you a drink first.’..‘Business before pleasure, major,’ Evan said.
business
;
work
c
1640
Grobiana's Nuptials
(
MS Bodley 30
) 15 Well to the business.—On; businesse is senior to complement;
1767
T. HUTCHINSON
Diary & Letters
(1883) I.v. Pleasure should always give way to business.
1837Stokeshill Place
III. vi.
‘Business before pleasure’ is a golden rule which most of us regard as iron.
1943
Down among Dead Men
v.
This is business, Sarge. You know what business comes before.
1976
&
M.A.S.H. goes to San Francisco
xiii.
‘Oh, how nice! And I think about you, too, But business before pleasure, as I always say.’
1986
Strangled Prose
vi.
Douglas drifted past with the department chairman, engrossed in conversation. He gave me a quick nod, but steered his captive toward a sofa. Business before pleasure.
1997
Evans Above
xxii. 232
‘I think I should buy you a drink first.’..‘Business before pleasure, major,’ Evan said.
business;
work
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