--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wanted to get paid to sharpen pencils…" description: "\"I wanted to get paid to sharpen pencils originally just because I thought it would be fun.\" — David Rees" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a4/david-rees-13338_fun_i-wanted-to-get-paid-to-sharpen-pencils_2555808.png" --- # I wanted to get paid to sharpen pencils originally just… ![“I wanted to get paid to sharpen pencils originally just because I thought it would be fun.” quote by David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a4/david-rees-13338_fun_i-wanted-to-get-paid-to-sharpen-pencils_2555808.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a4/david-rees-13338_fun_i-wanted-to-get-paid-to-sharpen-pencils_2555808.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a4/david-rees-13338_fun_i-wanted-to-get-paid-to-sharpen-pencils_2555808.png) > “I wanted to get paid to sharpen pencils originally just because I thought it would be fun.” [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He sought a job he imagined would be enjoyable, highlighting the appeal of fun over practicality. **In simple terms:** He wanted a fun job. Key Takeaway Consider enjoyment when choosing work. Themes career choice motivation fun work expectations Mood thoughtful curious Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - job hunting - career planning - creative pursuits - entrepreneurship Key Concepts intrinsic motivation career satisfaction playful work Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of a job make it truly enjoyable? - Can fun replace financial stability? A Different Perspective Fun may not sustain long‑term fulfillment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) ## Related quotes > [It would be amazing to tell my grandchildren, like, 'Yeah, I was paid to sharpen 1,000 pencils.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/it-would-be-amazing-to-tell-my-grandchildren-like-yeah-i-was-paid-to/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [There's no need to sharpen my pencils anymore. They're sharp enough. Even the dull ones will make a mark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ze-frank/there-s-no-need-to-sharpen-my-pencils-anymore-they-re-sharp-enough/) [Ze Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ze-frank/) > [I didn't want to write for pay. I wanted to be paid for what I write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/i-didn-t-want-to-write-for-pay-i-wanted-to-be-paid-for-what-i-write/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [\*\*\* wanted to be paid with the only currency that has a surname. PoundsSterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/efiosiugbore-adebayo/wanted-to-be-paid-with-the-only-currency-that-has-a-surname/) [Efiosiugbore Adebayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/efiosiugbore-adebayo/) > [I never wanted to get paid by the hour. If I was going to do more work than another guy, I wanted to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-blum/i-never-wanted-to-get-paid-by-the-hour-if-i-was-going-to-do-more-work/) [Jason Blum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-blum/) > [I started sharpening pencils at the census and how that was a difficult time in my life because my marriage was ending and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-started-sharpening-pencils-at-the-census-and-how-that-was-a/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [Everyone has pencils in their house, no matter how hip and contemporary they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/everyone-has-pencils-in-their-house-no-matter-how-hip-and/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [I never thought I would make a living as a pencil-sharpener. The first goal was: I don't want to lose money. And then the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-never-thought-i-would-make-a-living-as-a-pencil-sharpener-the-first/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [To me, if you're lucky enough to make stuff that people will pay money for, do a good job. Really do a good job.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/to-me-if-you-re-lucky-enough-to-make-stuff-that-people-will-pay-money/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [I've been really surprised about a lot of the negative comments about artisanal pencil sharpening. Like, it really rubs some people the wrong way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-ve-been-really-surprised-about-a-lot-of-the-negative-comments-about/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [I liked sharpening pencils and I was like, "Oh, I wonder if I could get paid to do it." And I figured it out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-liked-sharpening-pencils-and-i-was-like-oh-i-wonder-if-i-could-get/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [I hardly ever use pencils. I'm left-handed and it's really messy if you're left-handed because of the graphite smudging. I use them more now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-hardly-ever-use-pencils-i-m-left-handed-and-it-s-really-messy-if/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [People think, "Wow, people in America have so much money, they're sending hundreds of pencils to this guy." I don't think those people realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/people-think-wow-people-in-america-have-so-much-money-they-re-sending/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [Once you use a toothbrush to clean a pencil sharpener, you should no longer use it to clean your teeth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/once-you-use-a-toothbrush-to-clean-a-pencil-sharpener-you-should-no/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [I didn't dare to dream of making money. But now of course, I've made many thousands of dollars sharpening pencils.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-didn-t-dare-to-dream-of-making-money-but-now-of-course-i-ve-made/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) ## More by David Rees > [I have a really analytical approach to art. And the whole idea that you can't analyze what makes a joke funny...I do not agree…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-have-a-really-analytical-approach-to-art-and-the-whole-idea-that/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [The thing that was interesting to me about Relationshapes - as opposed to most of the other cartoons I've ever made - was I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/the-thing-that-was-interesting-to-me-about-relationshapes-as-opposed/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [I don't even drink Coke. It tastes like robot sweat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-don-t-even-drink-coke-it-tastes-like-robot-sweat/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [I didn't dare to dream of making money. But now of course, I've made many thousands of dollars sharpening pencils.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-didn-t-dare-to-dream-of-making-money-but-now-of-course-i-ve-made/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [I just wanted a really simple, dramatic way so that fans, people who were reading my comic, would be like, "This is something different."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-just-wanted-a-really-simple-dramatic-way-so-that-fans-people-who/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [Everyone has pencils in their house, no matter how hip and contemporary they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/everyone-has-pencils-in-their-house-no-matter-how-hip-and/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [I was just worried that someone was gonna think that I had been commissioned by Jamba Juice to make cartoons about Jamba Juice. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-was-just-worried-that-someone-was-gonna-think-that-i-had-been/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [I never thought I would make a living as a pencil-sharpener. The first goal was: I don't want to lose money. And then the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-never-thought-i-would-make-a-living-as-a-pencil-sharpener-the-first/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [I don't like when performers rag on their ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend in absentia. If they're not there, it just feels rude... I'm never going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-don-t-like-when-performers-rag-on-their-ex-girlfriend-or-ex/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [People think, "Wow, people in America have so much money, they're sending hundreds of pencils to this guy." I don't think those people realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/people-think-wow-people-in-america-have-so-much-money-they-re-sending/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [I would make a comic for Rolling Stone every two weeks, because they're biweekly. And then I would make weekly comics for my weekly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-would-make-a-comic-for-rolling-stone-every-two-weeks-because-they/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [The way you make money is to do something you don't like to do. And that's how you know you're a virtuous person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/the-way-you-make-money-is-to-do-something-you-don-t-like-to-do-and/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [I started sharpening pencils at the census and how that was a difficult time in my life because my marriage was ending and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-started-sharpening-pencils-at-the-census-and-how-that-was-a/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [I'm interested in the structure of art and how it works. And the content is also interesting, but I don't want to keep the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/i-m-interested-in-the-structure-of-art-and-how-it-works-and-the/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) > [“And you know what happened next in my dream? Dick Cheney and I said the same thing at the same time: "Well, we had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rees/and-you-know-what-happened-next-in-my-dream-dick-cheney-and-i-said/) [David Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) [Explore all 50 David Rees quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rees/) ## More Fun quotes > [It's really fun and challenging to build things that have never been built before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mason/it-s-really-fun-and-challenging-to-build-things-that-have-never-been/) [Hilary Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mason/) > [My first ever job after college was as a flight attendant. I wanted to travel and could not afford it, so I decided to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-winspear/my-first-ever-job-after-college-was-as-a-flight-attendant-i-wanted-to/) [Jacqueline Winspear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-winspear/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. 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I'd love to see a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/i-really-like-john-mccain-he-s-an-awesome-dude-and-was-a-lot-of-fun/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [I guess I'm attracted to things that are fun. I guess what is fun about this role in 'Suburgatory' is that there's a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-tudyk/i-guess-i-m-attracted-to-things-that-are-fun-i-guess-what-is-fun/) [Alan Tudyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-tudyk/) > [We did an episode where she goes out to get a job and she gets fired because she's not good. They hire a babysitter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-heaton/we-did-an-episode-where-she-goes-out-to-get-a-job-and-she-gets-fired/) [Patricia Heaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-heaton/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) > [I can't imagine not working, really. I just think work's more fun than fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-quant/i-can-t-imagine-not-working-really-i-just-think-work-s-more-fun-than/) [Mary Quant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-quant/) > [The work, the work, the work. This is what the business is all about. This is the fun, the glory, the pleasure. It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-dusenberry/the-work-the-work-the-work-this-is-what-the-business-is-all-about/) [Phil Dusenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-dusenberry/) > [It ain't because lovers are so sensitive that they quarrel so often; it is because there is so much fun n the making up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/it-ain-t-because-lovers-are-so-sensitive-that-they-quarrel-so-often/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [It's great when you can write a meaningful song that touches people, but sometimes you just wanna have fun and sing a silly song…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-underwood/it-s-great-when-you-can-write-a-meaningful-song-that-touches-people/) [Carrie Underwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-underwood/) > [I loved duping my parents; I liked manipulating them. It was a way for me to stand out. 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