[Points: What is hobby—differs with tastes-utility—different hobbies develop different powers—cautions to be exercised.]
A hobby is a favourite subject or occupation which is not one's main business. It is taken up simply for pleasure or amusement. The expressions 'not one's main business' and 'for pleasure or amuse ment' should be carefully noted. A man may find pleasure in his main business. Or, he may have to take up an occupation outside his main business without finding any pleasure in it. Neither of these is a hobby. A hobby must combine both the elements of 'outside one's main business', and 'pleasure and amusement.
Different persons have different hobbies. Some take to collecting used upstams, some choose gardening, some angling, some painting, and so on. But whatever be the hobby, it has it's value. The most important is that it gives zest to life. The work we do for a living or for gain is like a task imposed, we have to do it, whether we get any delight in it or not. But the human heart seeks pure joy in work. And this it finds in the hobby. A person chooses his hobby according to his liking. So it gives him real-pleasure and amusement, Besides, the hobby prevents a man from misusing or idling aw his leisure hours.
Moreover, different hobbies develop different qualities. Stamps contain pictures of notable persons, places and objects of the countries concerned. So stamp-collection gives us interesting lesson on History and Geography. It also gives an idea of the arts and tastes of these countries. Gardening and painting develop a sense for beauty and joy in nature; angling teaches us patience and silence.
But everything that gives us amusement is not a hobby. It must not interfere with our main business, and pleasure it gives should be pure and innocent. Thus, if a student neglects his studies in pursuit of his hobby, the hobby becomes a vice with him. Moreover, a hobby must not be too expensive for our means. In short, the pursuit of a hobby should be kept within proper bounds.
