Work and thou canst escape the reward; whether the work be fine or course, planting corn or writing epics, so only it be honest work, done to thine own approbation, it shall earn a reward to the senses as well as to the thought.
Interpretation
Honest work brings fulfillment and rewards, regardless of its nature.
Ralph Waldo Emersonβs quote emphasizes that the value of work lies in its honesty and personal satisfaction rather than the nature of the work itself. Whether one is engaged in simple tasks like planting corn or complex endeavors like writing epics, as long as the effort is sincere and meets one's own standards, it will yield rewards that enrich both the senses and the mind.
In practice
In a motivational speech about dedication and hard work, this quote can inspire the audience to value their efforts.
It is plain that there is no separate essence called courage, no cup or cell in the brain, no vessel in the heart containing drops or atoms that make or give this virtue; but it is the right or healthy state of every man, when he is free to do that which is constitutional to him to do.
Few people have any next, they live from hand to mouth without a plan, and are always at the end of their line.
Men cease to interest us when we find their limitations
Tis the good reader that makes the good book; a good head cannot read amiss: in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakeably meant for his ear.
The world belongs to the energetic.
Hast thou named all the birds without a gun?
It's important to have people who are absolutely willing to say you're wrong or who have a totally different perspective than you do on everything. Fresh ideas are hard to come by, and good ones are even harder.
One that does not think to highly of himself is more than he thinks.
All things come round to him who will but wait.
Be careful with words, they're dangerous. Be wary of them. They begat either demons or angels. It's up to you to give life to one or the other. Be careful, I tell you, nothing is as dangerous as giving free rein to words
Humility is the mother of giants.
It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe.
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