The labouring man that tills the fertile soil, And reaps…
““The labouring man that tills the fertile soil, And reaps the harvest fruit, hath not indeed The gain, but pain; and if for all his toil He gets the straw, the lord will have the seed.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Labor yields harvest but often brings pain; reward is modest compared to effort
In simple terms: Hard work often brings more pain than gain
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of effort and seek fair return
Themes
labor
harvest
reward
pain
justice
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- farming
- employee negotiations
- contract work
- advocacy for workers
- policy reform
Key Concepts
economics
fairness
agricultural cycles
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies ensure fair compensation for labor?
- What mechanisms protect workers from undue hardship?
A Different Perspective
Reward may be insufficient and exploitation can persist