The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.
Thomas CarlyleRead
The glory of a workman, still more of a master workman, that he does his work well, ought to be his most precious possession; like the honor of a soldier, dearer to him than life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The true honor and glory of a skilled worker, especially a master craftsman, lies in doing their work well, valuing it above all else.
This quote emphasizes the importance of craftsmanship and pride in one’s work. Thomas Carlyle equates the honor of a master workman to that of a soldier, suggesting that their commitment to excellence and integrity in their craft should be held in high regard, much like a soldier values their honor and service. The essence of both roles lies in dedication and the pursuit of quality, which should be cherished above all material possessions.
Themes
CraftsmanshipHonorExcellenceDedicationWorkmanship
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech to aspiring artisans emphasizing the value of pride in their trade.
More from Thomas Carlyle
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There is a great discovery still to be made in literature, that of paying literary men by the quantity they do not write.
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For the superior morality, of which we hear so much, we too would desire to be thankful: at the same time, it were but blindness to deny that this superior morality is properly rather an inferior criminality, produced not by greater love of Virtue, but by greater perfection of Police; and of that far subtler and stronger Police, called Public Opinion.
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Enjoying things which are pleasant; that is not the evil; it is the reducing of our moral self to slavery by them that is.
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Clean undeniable right, clear undeniable might: either of these once ascertained puts an end to battle. All battle is a confused experiment to ascertain one and both of these.
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