Rust wears things out faster than work does.

What it means

Tools, bodies and minds decay faster from disuse than from use. Idleness is not rest; it is slow damage. Keep using what you have.

The source

"Rust wears things out faster than work does." This French proverb is recorded in Bohn, A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs (1857), French Proverbs. Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.

"La rouille use plus que le travail."

Original French, Bohn, A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs (1857), French Proverbs. Text read at archive.org.

Who said it

Proverbs of the world (Every age). Sayings from the Latin, Greek, Norse, Japanese, Chinese and more, each traced to an old source in its own language.

Questions

What does "Rust wears things out faster than work does." mean?

Tools, bodies and minds decay faster from disuse than from use. Idleness is not rest; it is slow damage. Keep using what you have.

Who said "Rust wears things out faster than work does."?

French proverb. Source: Bohn, A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs (1857), French Proverbs.

What is the original French?

La rouille use plus que le travail. Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Rust wears things out faster than work does." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Rust wears things out faster than work does." (French proverb, Bohn, A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs (1857), French Proverbs, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/rust-wears-things-out-faster-than-work-does