In an ideal world, nobody's work would be just about the money. People could pursue excellence in what they do, take pride in achievement, and derive meaning from knowing that their work improved the lives of others.
Interpretation
Work should be motivated by a desire for excellence and making a positive impact, rather than just financial gain.
This quote by Barry Schwartz emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and fulfillment in one's work beyond monetary compensation. It suggests that an ideal work environment would allow individuals to strive for excellence, take pride in their accomplishments, and find personal meaning in how their contributions positively affect others' lives.
In practice
In a motivational speech about job satisfaction.
Our point of view is, lets not be so elitist that we can't honor good, hard, dignified, ennobling work: people working with their hands, building things, putting up solar panels, weatherizing homes, working on organic agriculture, building wind farms. We don't have robots in society, so somebody has to do that work. Lets make sure that the people who can use that work get a chance to do it. I see that as a first step toward bigger and better things.
I love to be busy. I'm envious of people who are able to take their spare time and relax. All I like to do is work. Perhaps it's lingering Calvinist guilt?
Some 80% of your life is spent working. You want to have fun at home; why shouldn't you have fun at work?
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.
Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.
When you start to confuse Freddie Mac, Sallie Mae and Fannie Mae with members of your family, and you remember 2,000 stock symbols but forget the children's birthdays, there's a good chance you've become too wrapped up in your work.
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