--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Work is not a curse; it is the…" description: "\"Work is not a curse; it is the prerogative of intelligence, the only means to manhood, and the measure of civilization.\" — Calvin Coolidge" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/calvin-coolidge-764_civilization_work-is-not-a-curse-it-is-the-prerogativ_1585403.jpg" --- # Work is not a curse; it is the prerogative of… ![“Work is not a curse; it is the prerogative of intelligence, the only means to manhood, and the measure of civilization.” quote by Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/calvin-coolidge-764_civilization_work-is-not-a-curse-it-is-the-prerogativ_1585403.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/calvin-coolidge-764_civilization_work-is-not-a-curse-it-is-the-prerogativ_1585403.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f6/calvin-coolidge-764_civilization_work-is-not-a-curse-it-is-the-prerogativ_1585403.jpg) > “Work is not a curse; it is the prerogative of intelligence, the only means to manhood, and the measure of civilization.” [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Work is presented as a defining human activity that reflects intelligence, maturity, and societal progress. **In simple terms:** Work defines intelligence and civilization. Key Takeaway Embrace work as a path to personal and societal growth. Themes responsibility civilization intelligence purpose growth Mood determined reflective inspirational Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career building - education - community service - leadership - entrepreneurship Key Concepts human development social contract masculinity economic theory Questions to Reflect On - How does work shape personal identity? - What balance exists between work and rest? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on work can neglect leisure and well‑being. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Curse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curse/) [Manhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manhood/) [Manhood Measure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manhood-measure-5997356/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Means Manhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/means-manhood-3755320/) [Measure Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/measure-civilization-654966/) [Prerogative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prerogative/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [“To sing, to laugh, to dream, to walk in my own way and be alone, free, with an eye to see things as they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmond-rostand/to-sing-to-laugh-to-dream-to-walk-in-my-own-way-and-be-alone-free/) [Edmond Rostand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmond-rostand/) > [The measure of civilization in a people is to be found in its just appreciation of the wrongfulness of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-helps/the-measure-of-civilization-in-a-people-is-to-be-found-in-its-just/) [Arthur Helps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-helps/) > [I have thought a sufficient measure of civilization is the influence of good women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-have-thought-a-sufficient-measure-of-civilization-is-the-influence/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“Contrary to nature’s rule of “survival of the fittest,” we humans measure civilization by how we respond to the most vulnerable and the suffering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/contrary-to-nature-s-rule-of-survival-of-the-fittest-we-humans/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [How a society treats its disabled is the true measure of a civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chen-guangcheng/how-a-society-treats-its-disabled-is-the-true-measure-of-a/) [Chen Guangcheng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chen-guangcheng/) > [“One measure of a civilization, in fact, is the percentage of misfits in its society.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abe-kobo/one-measure-of-a-civilization-in-fact-is-the-percentage-of-misfits-in/) [Abe Kōbō](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abe-kobo/) > [One measure of a civilization, either of an age or of a single individual, is what that age or person really wishes to do.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-pound/one-measure-of-a-civilization-either-of-an-age-or-of-a-single/) [Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-pound/) > [A man's hope measures his civilization. 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