The real problems of our planet are not economic or technical, they are philosophical. The philosophy of unbridled materialism is being challenged by events.
E. F. SchumacherRead
The purpose of work is to give people a chance to utilize and develop their faculties; to enable them to overcome their ego-centeredness by joining others in a common task; and to bring for the goods and services needed for a becoming existence.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Work's purpose is to develop individuals and foster collaboration for a better society.
E. F. Schumacher emphasizes that work is not merely a means to earn a living; its true purpose lies in allowing individuals to utilize their skills and grow personally. It encourages collaboration and collective effort, helping people to move beyond self-centeredness and contribute to the greater good by providing essential goods and services for a fulfilling life.
Themes
WorkCollaborationDevelopmentPurposeCommunity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about teamwork at a corporate event.
More from E. F. Schumacher
All quotes βThe substance of man cannot be measured by Gross National Product.
E. F. SchumacherRead
The printing press is either the greatest blessing or the greatest curse of modern times, sometimes one forgets which it is.
E. F. SchumacherRead
By means of trees, wildlife could be conserved, pollution decreased, and the beauty of our landscapes enhanced. This is the way, or at least one of the ways, to spiritual, moral, and cultural regeneration.
E. F. SchumacherRead
We still have to learn how to live peacefully, not only with our fellow men but also with nature and, above all, with those Higher Powers which have made nature and have made us; for, assuredly, we have not come about by accident and certainly have not made ourselves
E. F. SchumacherRead
The heart of the matter, as I see it, is the stark fact that world poverty is primarily a problem of two million villages, and thus a problem of two thousand million villagers.
E. F. SchumacherRead
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I find that through the sad times, work is what made my continuing, not breaking down, possible. In work, I was always someone else and I subconsciously reveled in that.
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I like the job. That's what I'll miss the most... I'm not sure anybody ever liked this as much as I've liked it.
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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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Some 80% of your life is spent working. You want to have fun at home; why shouldn't you have fun at work?
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I love working if it's with people who are capable of having a good time. People with a little bit of enjoyment of what they do. If it's enormous pressure, and people feel that their lives are at stake, then it's agony. So I try to pick projects where I feel like I'm going to avoid those traps.
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Sometimes it gets boring. No justice is supposed to say that. But, you know, there's drudgery in every job you're going to do.
Sonia SotomayorRead