Age Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
“At the age of five years to enter a spinning-cotton or other factory, and from that time forth to sit there daily, first ten, then twelve, and ultimately fourteen hours, performing the same mechanical labour, is to purchase dearly the satisfaction of drawing breath. But this is the fate of millions, and that of millions more is analogous to it.”
About This Quote
The passage critiques child labor in factories, describing how relentless, repetitive work reduces life to mere survival for many.
In simple terms: Child labor forces people into exhausting, mechanical work.
Key Takeaway
Exploitation dehumanizes workers.
Themes
labor rights
industrialization
human dignity
Mood
somber
critical
Type
philosophical
social critique
When to use this quote
- historical labor reforms
- modern gig‑economy debates
Key Concepts
economic oppression
social injustice
Practical Applications
- advocate for humane working conditions
Questions to Reflect On
- What modern practices echo this exploitation?
- How can societies balance productivity with dignity?
A Different Perspective
The wording may over‑generalize historical contexts.
![“[T]he appropriate form of address between man and man ought to be, not monsieur, sir, but fellow sufferer, compagnon de miseres.” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be6/arthur-schopenhauer-226_addresses_t-he-appropriate-form-of-address-between_32897.jpg)
![“[Materialism] seeks the primary and most simple state of matter, and then tries to develop all the others from it; ascending from mere mechanism, to chemism, to polarity, to the vegetable and to the animal kingdom. And if we suppose this to have been done, the last link in the chain would be…” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/88c/arthur-schopenhauer-226_animal-kingdom_materialism-seeks-the-primary-and-most-s_50402.jpg)
