The Lazy Man - Jules Renard

The lazy man wakes up late, but not because he overslept—getting up requires an immense effort. First, he opens his eyes. A considerable achievement, which already tires him. Then, he contemplates getting out of bed. The mere thought of it is exhausting.

He rolls to the other side of the bed and, if he could, he would send a note to the world declaring that he will not be attending today. But writing requires effort, and getting up to deliver the note would be an unbearable contradiction.

Laziness is not a flaw but a philosophy of life. The lazy man does not rush, does not worry, does not get agitated. He is fully aware that any unnecessary movement is a waste of energy. He watches the world bustle around him and smiles, knowing that the urgency of others has no impact on his serenity.

If someone offers him work, he refuses with innate wisdom. Working is a mistake made by those who failed to find a good excuse. He, on the other hand, is a master of evasion. When pressured to do something, he sighs deeply—a sigh so burdened with exhaustion that anyone immediately realizes forcing him to act would be a crime against nature.

At the end of the day, the lazy man feels triumphant. He has survived yet another day without giving in to society’s expectations. For him, true success is not conquering the world but making sure the world leaves him alone.