The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.
Thomas CarlyleRead
Properly speaking, all true work is religion.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True work reflects one's beliefs and values, akin to a sacred practice.
This quote by Thomas Carlyle suggests that genuine work transcends mere labor; it embodies deep personal convictions and purpose. When one approaches their work with sincerity and passion, it becomes a form of devotion, akin to religious practice, emphasizing the significance of meaningful engagement in our tasks.
Themes
WorkReligionMeaningPurposePassion
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of finding meaning in work.
More from Thomas Carlyle
All quotes βThirty millions, mostly fools.
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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.
Thomas CarlyleRead
Enjoying things which are pleasant; that is not the evil; it is the reducing of our moral self to slavery by them that is.
Thomas CarlyleRead
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.
Thomas CarlyleRead
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