So I loathed all the fruit of my effort, for which I…
““So I loathed all the fruit of my effort, for which I worked so hard on earth, because I must leave it behind in the hands of my successor. Who knows if he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will be master over all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so wisely on earth! This also is futile! What does a man acquire from all his labor and from the anxiety that accompanies his toil on earth? For all day long his work produces pain and frustration, and even at night his mind cannot relax! This also is futile! There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker laments the futility of labor, questioning the value of work and its fruits when passed to successors.
In simple terms: Work seems pointless when handed over.
Key Takeaway
Find meaning beyond material output.
Themes
existential
labor
legacy
fulfillment
philosophy
Mood
reflective
melancholic
philosophical
Type
aphilosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- personal growth
- legacy building
- mindfulness practice
- ethical reflection
Key Concepts
nihilism
human condition
purpose
Questions to Reflect On
- What gives work purpose beyond material gain?
- How can one find satisfaction in effort?
A Different Perspective
The quote may be a paraphrase, not a direct source.