--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The center will not hold if it has been…" description: "\"The center will not hold if it has been spot-welded by an operator whose deepest concern is not with the weld but with his lottery ticket.\" — Donald Ba..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bf/donald-barthelme-2980_concern_the-center-will-not-hold-if-it-has-been_1418652.png" --- # The center will not hold if it has been spot-welded by an… ![“The center will not hold if it has been spot-welded by an operator whose deepest concern is not with the weld but with his lottery ticket.” quote by Donald Barthelme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bf/donald-barthelme-2980_concern_the-center-will-not-hold-if-it-has-been_1418652.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bf/donald-barthelme-2980_concern_the-center-will-not-hold-if-it-has-been_1418652.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bf/donald-barthelme-2980_concern_the-center-will-not-hold-if-it-has-been_1418652.png) > “The center will not hold if it has been spot-welded by an operator whose deepest concern is not with the weld but with his lottery ticket.” [Donald Barthelme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-barthelme/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If a worker cares more about gambling than quality, the structure collapses. **In simple terms:** Neglect leads to failure. Key Takeaway Prioritize responsibility over distraction. Themes workplace responsibility focus Mood cautionary analytical Type practical philosophical When to use this quote - construction - manufacturing - project management Key Concepts attention risk management Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure focus on critical tasks? - What incentives reduce distraction? A Different Perspective People may rationalize neglect for personal gain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Center Hold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/center-hold-662255/) [Concern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concern/) [Concern Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concern-weld-5018737/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Lottery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lottery/) [Lottery ticket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lottery-ticket/) [Operators](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/operators/) [Spot Welded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spot-welded-5018738/) [Spots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spots/) [Tickets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tickets/) [Weld Lottery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weld-lottery-5018735/) [Welded Operator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/welded-operator-5018736/) ## Related quotes > [Things fall apart; the center cannot hold...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/things-fall-apart-the-center-cannot-hold/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [When Yeats said the center cannot hold, he was talking for himself, but it was true for the rest of us as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-luc-godard/when-yeats-said-the-center-cannot-hold-he-was-talking-for-himself-but/) [Jean-Luc Godard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-luc-godard/) > [“The center will hold.” “How do you know?” “Because we are the center.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/the-center-will-hold-how-do-you-know-because-we-are-the-center/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“Wait for me. 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