A man's labor is not only his capital but his life. When…
“A man's labor is not only his capital but his life. When it passes it returns never more. To utilize it, to prevent its wasteful squandering, to enable the poor man to bank it up for use hereafter, this surely is one of the most urgent tasks before civilization.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Labor is both a person's capital and their life; when lost, it cannot be recovered, so society must prevent waste and help the poor preserve its value for future use.
In simple terms: Work is life and wealth; losing it is irreversible.
Protect and invest in labor to aid the disadvantaged.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy making
- community programs
- financial education
- employment services
- charitable initiatives
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What policies best safeguard workers’ labor value?
- How can individuals contribute to reducing labor waste?
Balancing labor preservation with economic growth can be complex.