Labour itself is but a sorrowful song,
The protest of the weak against the strong.

Labour itself is but a sorrowful song,
The protest of the weak against the strong.

Not all the labor of the earth
Is done by hardened hands.

Not all the labor of the earth
Is done by hardened hands.

I have spent my life laboriously doing nothing.
[Lat., Vitam perdidi laboricose agendo.]

I have spent my life laboriously doing nothing.
[Lat., Vitam perdidi laboricose agendo.]

If I have caused just one person to wipe away a tear of laughter, that's my reward.

If I have caused just one person to wipe away a tear of laughter, that's my reward.

Thou, O God, dost sell us all good things at the price of labor

Thou, O God, dost sell us all good things at the price of labor

He who wishes to secure the good of others has already secured his own.

He who wishes to secure the good of others has already secured his own.

If little labour. little are our gaines:
Man's fortunes are according to his paines.

If little labour. little are our gaines:
Man's fortunes are according to his paines.

Skilled labor teaches something not to be found in books or colleges.

Skilled labor teaches something not to be found in books or colleges.

Perhaps the reward of the spirit who tries is not the goal but the exercise.

Perhaps the reward of the spirit who tries is not the goal but the exercise.