Burn the Midnight Oil
The night before final exams, students often burn the midnight oil. They study late hoping to make good grades.
To burn the midnight oil means to stay up late studying or working.
Before electricity, people used oil lamps or candles for light after dark. If they stayed up until midnight or after, they used extra oil.
This expression appeared in a 1635 poem, “Emblems,” by Francis Quarles.
People often burn the midnight oil because they fail to study or work during regular hours.
If they work harder earlier, they enjoy a job well done plus a good night’s sleep.
Work or study occasionally requires extra effort.
In those cases, late work must be done to complete the task.
Whether we burn the midnight oil or complete our work early, we need occasional breaks.
Instead of burning the candle at both ends, we need time to:
- Be still in God’s presence.
- Let God’s peace fill us.
“At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws” (Psalm 119:62 NIV).
Thanks to Becky Nash Rowe for the suggestion and to Jeri Stone for the photo.
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14 thoughts on “Burn the Midnight Oil”
My days of burning the midnight oil are far behind me, Diana. I’m thankful for that! Now, if I don’t get something accomplished during the day, there’s always tomorrow.
Blessings!
I never was good at burning the midnight oil, Martha. I prefer a good night’s sleep so I can think more clearly the next day. As you said, there’s always tomorrow. Blessings on all your day holds.
Diana, I had not realized where the expression originated. Burning the midnight oil was something done while in the midst of raising my children, often because they needed help in getting a school paper completed. It was hard at the time but those days have provided us plenty of good laughs when we discuss it now.
Your comments about burning the midnight oil with your children made me smile. Such memories last a lifetime and are well worth the investment of time and energy. Blessings on your writing ministry.
I’ve burned a lot of midnight oil as a student, mother, teacher, administrator, and author. It’s not that I’m a procrastinator, it’s because I take on too many tasks. But I’m working on that! Thank you, Diana.
It’s so hard not to overload ourselves, isn’t it, Katherine. I have the same tendency, but I prefer an early start rather than a late finish. I’m definitely a morning person. Thank you. Blessings.
Interesting, Diana!
Thank you, Priscilla. I have learned so many interesting facts since I started this blog. Blessings.
Love this series, Diana–such fun! I too have burned my share of midnight oil, but not for some time. VERY thankful for that! Now I much prefer to burn the early morning oil (if there is such a thing)! Actually, it’s a candle, not oil, as a symbol of Jesus, the Light of the world, as I have my quiet time.
I also prefer your early morning plan with Jesus, Nancy. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. Blessings.
I find I’m still burning the midnight oil far too often my friend. When it starts to run dry, and His light begins to flicker in my life, I know it’s time to get refilled. Your encouraging posts help to do that, by prompting me to grab the source for the oil of gladness in my life. God’s blessings ma’am.
Thank you for your encouraging words, J. D. I am praying for you, Ms. Diane, and all your many responsibilities. May your day be filled with joy.
Sometimes it’s necessary to stay up late because of a deadline or poor planning. Interesting origin of the phrase.
Nancy, like you, I try to complete everything early, but I sometimes find more still to do. However, I prefer early morning work to burning the midnight oil. I’m definitely a morning person.