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!

Like every man of sense and good feeling, I abominate work.

Like every man of sense and good feeling, I abominate work.

In every rank, or great or small,
'Tis industry supports us all.

In every rank, or great or small,
'Tis industry supports us all.

But when dread Sloth, the Mother of Doom, steals in,
And reigns where Labour's glory was to serve,
read more

But when dread Sloth, the Mother of Doom, steals in,
And reigns where Labour's glory was to serve,
Then is the day of crumbling not far off.

Man hath his daily work of body or mind
Appointed.

Man hath his daily work of body or mind
Appointed.

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.]

The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.

The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.

Each natural agent works but to this end,--
To render that it works on like itself.

Each natural agent works but to this end,--
To render that it works on like itself.

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.