---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you do things by the job, you are…"
description: "\"If you do things by the job, you are perpetually driven: the hours are scourges. If you work by the hour, you gently sail on the stream of Time, which ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abc/charles-dudley-warner-8025_driven_if-you-do-things-by-the-job-you-are-perp_2123618.jpg"
---

#  If you do things by the job, you are perpetually driven…

![“If you do things by the job, you are perpetually driven: the hours are scourges. If you work by the hour, you gently sail on the stream of Time, which is always bearing you on to the haven of Pay, whether you make any effort, or not.” quote by Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abc/charles-dudley-warner-8025_driven_if-you-do-things-by-the-job-you-are-perp_2123618.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abc/charles-dudley-warner-8025_driven_if-you-do-things-by-the-job-you-are-perp_2123618.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abc/charles-dudley-warner-8025_driven_if-you-do-things-by-the-job-you-are-perp_2123618.jpg)

> “If you do things by the job, you are perpetually driven: the hours are scourges. If you work by the hour, you gently sail on the stream of Time, which is always bearing you on to the haven of Pay, whether you make any effort, or not.”

[Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/)

## About This Quote

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

Working by task drives constant effort; working by hour lets time flow, delivering pay regardless of effort.

**In simple terms:** Task work forces effort; hourly work lets time bring pay.

Key Takeaway

Choose work style that matches your values and desired effort level.

Themes

work ethic time perception motivation

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- career planning
- freelance work
- time management
- salary negotiation

Key Concepts

labor theory effort vs reward

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you prefer control over output or steady income?
- How does your work style affect your sense of purpose?

A Different Perspective

Hourly work may reduce personal agency over outcomes.

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[Driven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/driven/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Hard work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-work/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Workers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/workers/)

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