WORK KEEPS US AWAY FROM THREE GREAT EVILS:

 These words are not mine, they're Voltaire's.
 In fact, he was the first philosopher who marked my youth.
I liked him a lot before I found out later that he didn't like Jews.

The words of the title are followed by the words that became Voltaire's recommendation: Boredom,  Vice and Need.

I remember having to write an essay on this subject and how much would I give today to know what I wrote back then, when I was 15.

 

Now, if I were to do that essay again, I'd start by defining the five words in the title. I include evil , boredom, vice and need without forgetting work.

What about work? Isn't it what every human being is confronted with at the end of their studies? If you ask the question: "Why do you work? The answer would be the same: "I have so many expenses and debts to pay". But work is the effort you make, the trouble you take to do something. And sometimes that effort is long and arduous, to the point that many people don't like their work.

Boredom, on the other hand, is sorrow, sadness, moral weariness, a lack of interest in anything, an unpleasant feeling of emptiness that causes annoyance, especially if the work is monotonous.

Vice, on the other hand, is simply a habitual disposition to evil. While "vice is natural to us" according to Pascal, here we have misconduct, debauchery. Here we have an inclination that social morality rejects. This defect, this serious imperfection, becomes a bad habit.

What about need? Let's take a few simple examples: eating, drinking and sleeping are organic needs (related to the organs). The need becomes the sensation that leads us to commit certain acts that seem necessary. I'd go so far as to say that it's indispensable to daily existence. We always need something.

And now Voltaire considers these three words to be evils. This last word, evil causes pain, physical suffering, like having a toothache, or violent headaches. Sometimes it's seasickness or heartache. When the seriousness of a situation calls for decisive, energetic action, you need to act fast.

I can't help wondering why Voltaire insisted on considering these three words as evils to be got rid of. I firmly believe that by considering work as a means of distancing oneself from boredom, vice and need, Voltaire implies that work can also be a source of fulfillment. When work is aligned with a person's interests and talents, it can become a source of personal satisfaction, fulfillment and balance in life.

There's so much more to say about work, its limits and human dignity, that I'd need several more paragraphs, as I usually finish my writings with only a dozen or so. The fact remains that, although the philosopher stresses the benefits of work, I doubt that he does not glorify overwork. Ideally, balanced work that contributes to society with its values leaves time for family and culture.  

This healthy balance, a job well done, adds to professional activity and ensures a fulfilling life. I have no choice but to acknowledge my mentor's words.