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The very first lesson that should be taught to us when are old enough to understand it, is that complete freedom from the obligation to work is unnatural, and ought to be illegal, as we can escape our share of the burden of work only by throwing it on someone else’s shoulders. Nature ordains that the human race shall perish of famine if it stops working. We cannot escape from this tyranny. The question we have to settle is how much leisure we can afford to allow ourselves.

Q.
The main idea of the passage is that:
  • a)
    it is essential for human beings to work
  • b)
    there should be a balance between work and leisure
  • c)
    working is a tyranny which we to face
  • d)
    human’s understanding of the nature of work is essential
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
The very first lesson that should be taught to us when are old enough ...
As we understand it, the passage suggests that we should not succumb to ergophobia (aka abnormal fear or aversion to work). We have to ensure that we maintain a healthy balance between work and leisure. And that work-leisure balance is the main idea of the passage is corroborated by the last statement which ends the passage by throwing a challenge to identify how much leisure can be allowed. Now let us evaluate the options:
(a) it is essential for human beings to work…YES, this is an answer-contender
(b) there should be a balance between work and leisure…..YES, again an answer-contender. Rather a more potent answer contender as the passage ends with a call to limit leisure to healthy proportion.
(c) working is a tyranny which we to face….The passage has used nature’s tyranny as a simile to drive home the point that we must work and this is not the main idea of the passage..OUT
(d) human’s understanding of the nature of work is essential…The passage is not about the understanding of nature of work but about its necessity…OUT
Thus between option (a) and option (b), option (b) seems to be more appropriate as it combines both leisure and work, the two themes touched upon in the passage.
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Most Upvoted Answer
The very first lesson that should be taught to us when are old enough ...
. This is because work is essential for the functioning of society, and everyone must contribute to it in some way or another.

The idea of complete freedom from work is often romanticized, but in reality, it is not sustainable. If everyone were to stop working, the entire structure of society would collapse. We need doctors, teachers, farmers, construction workers, and countless other professions to keep society running smoothly.

Furthermore, the burden of work cannot be shifted onto others indefinitely. It is unfair to expect a few people to do all the work while others enjoy the fruits of their labor. This creates a society that is deeply unequal and unjust.

Therefore, it is important to recognize the value of work and to contribute to society in some way. This does not necessarily mean working a traditional 9-5 job - there are many ways to contribute, such as volunteering, caring for family members, or pursuing a passion project that benefits others.

In short, complete freedom from work is not a viable option. We all have a responsibility to contribute to society in some way, and it is important to recognize and uphold this obligation.
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The very first lesson that should be taught to us when are old enough to understand it, is that complete freedom from the obligation to work is unnatural, and ought to be illegal, as we can escape our share of the burden of work only by throwing it on someone else’s shoulders. Nature ordains that the human race shall perish of famine if it stops working. We cannot escape from this tyranny. The question we have to settle is how much leisure we can afford to allow ourselves.Q.The main idea of the passage is that:a)it is essential for human beings to workb)there should be a balance between work and leisurec)working is a tyranny which we to faced)human’s understanding of the nature of work is essentialCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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The very first lesson that should be taught to us when are old enough to understand it, is that complete freedom from the obligation to work is unnatural, and ought to be illegal, as we can escape our share of the burden of work only by throwing it on someone else’s shoulders. Nature ordains that the human race shall perish of famine if it stops working. We cannot escape from this tyranny. The question we have to settle is how much leisure we can afford to allow ourselves.Q.The main idea of the passage is that:a)it is essential for human beings to workb)there should be a balance between work and leisurec)working is a tyranny which we to faced)human’s understanding of the nature of work is essentialCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about The very first lesson that should be taught to us when are old enough to understand it, is that complete freedom from the obligation to work is unnatural, and ought to be illegal, as we can escape our share of the burden of work only by throwing it on someone else’s shoulders. Nature ordains that the human race shall perish of famine if it stops working. We cannot escape from this tyranny. The question we have to settle is how much leisure we can afford to allow ourselves.Q.The main idea of the passage is that:a)it is essential for human beings to workb)there should be a balance between work and leisurec)working is a tyranny which we to faced)human’s understanding of the nature of work is essentialCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for The very first lesson that should be taught to us when are old enough to understand it, is that complete freedom from the obligation to work is unnatural, and ought to be illegal, as we can escape our share of the burden of work only by throwing it on someone else’s shoulders. Nature ordains that the human race shall perish of famine if it stops working. We cannot escape from this tyranny. The question we have to settle is how much leisure we can afford to allow ourselves.Q.The main idea of the passage is that:a)it is essential for human beings to workb)there should be a balance between work and leisurec)working is a tyranny which we to faced)human’s understanding of the nature of work is essentialCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
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