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These are the hands whose sturdy labor brings The…

“These are the hands whose sturdy labor brings The peasant's food, the golden pomp of kings; This is the page whose letters shall be seen, Changed by the sun to words of living green; This is the scholar whose immortal penSpells the first lesson hunger taught to men; These are the lines that…” quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr
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“These are the hands whose sturdy labor brings The peasant's food, the golden pomp of kings; This is the page whose letters shall be seen, Changed by the sun to words of living green; This is the scholar whose immortal penSpells the first lesson hunger taught to men; These are the lines that heaven-commanded Toil Shows on his deed, - the charter of the soil!”

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Celebrates the essential labor of farmers, scholars, and workers that sustain society.

In simple terms: Hard work of everyday people builds civilization.

Key Takeaway

Value and honor all contributors.

Themes

labor society gratitude

Mood

respectful reflective

Type

poetic inspirational

When to use this quote

  • rural development
  • academic publishing
  • public policy
  • community building

Key Concepts

agriculture education social contract

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we recognize unseen contributions?
  • What policies support essential workers?
A Different Perspective

May overlook systemic inequities in labor distribution.

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