The key to having more time is doing less, and there are two paths to get there, both of which should be used together: (1) Define a short to-do list and (2) define a not-to-do list.
—Tim Ferriss (b.1977) American Self-help Author
Pennies do not come from heaven—they have to be earned here on earth.
—Margaret Thatcher (1925–2013) British Head of State
The Work is the end of the world as we understand it to be, sweetheart. And it’s the opening to reality, as it really is, in all its beauty.
—Byron Katie (b.1942) American Speaker, Author
Work is necessary for man. Man invented the alarm clock.
—Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) Spanish Painter, Sculptor, Artist
When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
When men are employed, they are best contented; for on the days they worked they were good-natured and cheerful, and, with the consciousness of having done a good day’s work, they spent the evening jollily; but on our idle days they were mutinous and quarrelsome.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
You may be the only standard work somebody ever reads.
—Unknown
A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you, and were helped by you, will remember you when forget-me-nots are withered. Carve your name on hearts, and not on marble.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
Be strong!
We are not here to play, to dream, to drift;
We have hard work to do and loads to lift;
Shun not the struggle—face it; ’tis God’s gift.
—Maltbie Davenport Babcock (1858–1901) American Presbyterian Minister, Writer
We thoroughly enjoy the work of a man only if the enjoyment of his work can be applied with respect and love for the man.
—Hans Margolius
Work is a four letter word!
—Unknown
A man at work, making something which he feels will exist because he is working at it and wills it, is exercising the energies of his mind and soul as well as of his body. Memory and imagination help him as he works. Not only his own thoughts, but the thoughts of the men of past ages guide his hands; and, as part of the human race, he creates. If we work thus we shall be men, and our days will be happy and eventful.
—William Morris (1834–96) British Designer, Craftsman, Poet, Writer
A person who has not done one half his day’s work by ten o clock, runs a chance of leaving the other half undone.
—Emily Bronte (1818–48) English Novelist, Poet
Never fear the want of business. A man who qualifies himself well for his calling, never fails of employment.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
In a sense, your need to please shows you what you have to work on—and that is: letting go emotionally of the role of child and stepping into the role of adult.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
Labor disgraces no man, but occasionally men disgrace labor.
—Ulysses S. Grant (1822–85) American Civil War General, Head of State
Fatigue dulls the pain, but awakes enticing thoughts of death. So! that is the way in which you are tempted to overcome your loneliness—by making the ultimate escape from life.—No! It may be that death is to be your ultimate gift to life: it must not be an act of treachery against it.
—Dag Hammarskjold (1905–61) Swedish Statesman, UN Diplomat
The real minimum wage is zero unemployment.
—Thomas Sowell (b.1930) American Conservative Economist, Political Commentator
If you feel that you are indispensable, put your finger in a glass of water, withdraw it, and note the hole you have left.
—Anonymous
Work to become, not to acquire.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
The harder I work, the luckier I get.
—Samuel Goldwyn (1879–1974) Polish-born American Film Producer, Businessperson
You know that it is only through work that you can achieve anything, either in college or in the world.
—Charles William Eliot (1834–1926) American Educationalist
The best work never was and never will be done for money.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Know them which labor among you … esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Brutes find out where their talents lie;
A bear will not attempt to fly,
A foundered horse will oft debate
Before he tries a five barred gate.
A dog by instinct turns aside
Who sees the ditch too deep and wide,
But man we find the only creature
Who, led by folly, combats nature;
Who, when she loudly cries
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
Because I helped to wind the clock, I come to hear it strike.
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) Irish Poet, Dramatist
It is not a dreamlike state, but the somehow insulated state, that a great musician achieves in a great performance. He’s aware of where he is and what he’s doing, but his mind is on the playing of his instrument with an internal sense of rightness—it is not merely mechanical, it is not only spiritual; it is something of both, on a different plane and a more remote one.
—Arnold Palmer (b.1929) American Sportsperson
Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a Lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle… when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.
—Unknown
No human pursuit achieves dignity until it can be called work.
—Beryl Markham (1902–86) English-African Aviator, Author
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