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Phrase(s): Idleness is the root of all evil.
Prov. If you have no useful work to do, you will think of harmful things to do in order to amuse yourself. (Compare this with Money is the root of all evil.) • Child: Why do you make me do so many chores? Father: Idleness is the root of all evil.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs