"« Les loisirs sans livres sont la mort et l’enterrement »"

Books are a lifeline to a deeper, more colorful existence. The idea here is that leisure time without the enrichment of reading is wasted—like being dead while you're still alive. It's like having all this free time and doing nothing meaningful with it, just letting it slip away.

This concept dates back to the ancient world. Seneca, a Roman philosopher, believed that a life without contemplation and knowledge was empty. Back then, books were precious and rare, and reading was a privilege. Those who had access to books were seen as holding keys to vast stores of wisdom and experience.

Now, let's take a modern example. Think of J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series. These books have transported millions into a magical world, away from the humdrum and chaos of real life. For countless readers, diving into the adventures of Harry, Hermione, and Ron during their downtime has brought immense joy, learning, and even community. Imagine someone who’s never cracked open a book. They miss out on that journey and growth.

So how can you apply this wisdom? Start small. Next time you find yourself with a free afternoon, resist the urge to mindlessly scroll through social media. Grab a book instead. Maybe it's a novel, a biography, or a self-help book. It doesn’t matter what genre—what matters is that you’re feeding your mind and soul.

Picture this: You're at your favorite coffee shop with a couple of hours to kill. You could spend that time staring at your phone, or you could open a book. Think about how different you’ll feel afterward. Scrolling through memes might make you chuckle, but it probably won’t stick with you. However, reading a gripping story or a thought-provoking piece might change the way you see the world.

Let me share a personal story. I once had a mentor who always carried a book with him. During breaks, while everyone else chatted or checked emails, he read. One day, I asked him why he was always reading. He told me that books allowed him to live multiple lives and explore countless worlds. His love for reading made him one of the most interesting and wise people I knew. His joy for life was contagious—he was never bored because his mind was always engaged.

In short, don’t waste your downtime. Books are like windows to different worlds and perspectives. They enhance what’s otherwise just empty time. So next time you find yourself with a few free hours, think about what you’re missing if you’re not reading. Dive into a book, and you might find that it changes your life in ways you never expected.

Take this advice to heart. Read during your leisure time, and you’ll see a world of difference. It’s like giving your mind a vacation, a workout, and a feast all at once. Don’t let those precious moments slip by. Fill them with the richness that only books can offer. Trust me—you’ll thank yourself later.