Who first invented work, and bound the free
And holyday-rejoicing spirit down . . .
To that read more

Who first invented work, and bound the free
And holyday-rejoicing spirit down . . .
To that dry drudgery at the desk's dead wood? . . .
Sabbathless Satan!

Why do strong arms fatigue themselves with frivolous dumb-bells?
To dig a vineyard is a worthier exercise for men.

Why do strong arms fatigue themselves with frivolous dumb-bells?
To dig a vineyard is a worthier exercise for men.

I do not like work even when someone else does it.

I do not like work even when someone else does it.

By working faithfully eight hours a day, you may get to be a boss
and work twelve hours a read more

By working faithfully eight hours a day, you may get to be a boss
and work twelve hours a day.

Study until twenty-five, investigation until forty, profession
until sixty, at which age I would have him retired on a read more

Study until twenty-five, investigation until forty, profession
until sixty, at which age I would have him retired on a double
allowance.

Properly speaking, such work is never finished; one must declare
it so when, according to time and circumstances, one read more

Properly speaking, such work is never finished; one must declare
it so when, according to time and circumstances, one has done
one's best.
[Ger., So eine Arbeit wird eigentlich nie fertig; man muss sie
fur fertig erklaren, wenn man nach Zeit und Umstand das
Moglichste getan hat.]

How many a rustic Milton has passed by,
Stifling the speechless longings of his heart,
In unremitting read more

How many a rustic Milton has passed by,
Stifling the speechless longings of his heart,
In unremitting drudgery and care!
How many a vulgar Cato has compelled
His energies, no longer tameless then,
To mould a pin, or fabricate a nail!

Haste makes waste.

Haste makes waste.

I am gradually approaching the period in my life when work comes
first. . . . No longer diverted read more

I am gradually approaching the period in my life when work comes
first. . . . No longer diverted by other emotions, I work the way
a cow grazes.