Labor, if it were not necessary for existence, would be indispensable for the happiness of man.
Interpretation
Labor brings fulfillment and joy even when it isn't necessary for survival.
Samuel Johnson's quote suggests that while work is essential for basic survival, it also serves a deeper purpose in contributing to human happiness. This idea emphasizes that engaging in meaningful labor can provide a sense of purpose and satisfaction, elevating our overall quality of life beyond mere existence.
In practice
In a motivational speech about finding joy in one's career.
To be of no church is dangerous. Religion, of which the rewards are distant, and which is animated only by faith and hope, will glide by degrees out of the mind unless it be invigorated and reimpressed by external ordinances, by stated calls to worship, and the salutary influence of example.
He that reads and grows no wiser seldom suspects his own deficiency, but complains of hard words and obscure sentences, and asks why books are written which cannot be understood.
To let friendship die away by negligence and silence is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of the weary pilgrimage.
Fly-fishing may be a very pleasant amusement; but angling or float fishing I can only compare to a stick and a string, with a worm at one end and a fool at the other.
When any anxiety or gloom of the mind takes hold of you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaining; but exert yourselves to hide it, and by endeavoring to hide it you drive it away.
A fishing rod is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool at the other.
Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
Sorrow happens, hardship happens, the hell with it, who never knew the price of happiness, will not be happy.
Do not forget that even as "to work is to worship" so to be cheery is to worship also, and to be happy is the first step to being pious.
Turn your attention for a while away from the worries and anxieties. Remind yourself of all your many blessings.
When you focus on what you have, your ABUNDANCE increases. I started with my breath. Noticing being alive is a good start!
Waiting to be happy limits our brain's potential for success, whereas cultivating positive brains makes us more motivated, efficient, resilient, creative, and productive, which drives performance upward.
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