Be encouraged Quote by Edna St. Vincent Millay
“I am not at all in favor of hard work for its own sake; many people who work very hard indeed produce terrible things, and should most certainly not be encouraged.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver", 1923
Hard work for its own sake can yield harmful results; effort should be guided by purpose and ethics.
In simple terms: Work without purpose can be harmful.
Key Takeaway
Align effort with values.
Themes
ethics
purpose
work
society
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- public policy
- creative projects
- volunteer work
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
motivation
productivity
Questions to Reflect On
- What values should guide your work?
- How do you balance effort with ethical impact?
A Different Perspective
Hard work alone does not guarantee good outcomes.
