---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Understand the value of work and know…"
description: "\"Understand the value of work and know that you get out of life what you earn. Some things have to be taken, its not given to you, they are not handing ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/702/eric-thomas-1758_brain_understand-the-value-of-work-and-know-th_3158966.png"
---

#  Understand the value of work and know that you get out of…

![“Understand the value of work and know that you get out of life what you earn. Some things have to be taken, its not given to you, they are not handing out multimillion dollar contracts or degrees, you have to use your brain!” quote by Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/702/eric-thomas-1758_brain_understand-the-value-of-work-and-know-th_3158966.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/702/eric-thomas-1758_brain_understand-the-value-of-work-and-know-th_3158966.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/702/eric-thomas-1758_brain_understand-the-value-of-work-and-know-th_3158966.png)

> “Understand the value of work and know that you get out of life what you earn. Some things have to be taken, its not given to you, they are not handing out multimillion dollar contracts or degrees, you have to use your brain!”

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

## About This Quote

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

Hard work and mental effort are essential; success isn’t handed out, you must earn it through intellect and perseverance.

**In simple terms:** Earn success through effort and intellect.

Key Takeaway

Work hard, think smart, earn your rewards.

Themes

work ethic self‑reliance achievement

Mood

determined serious

Type

motivational practical

When to use this quote

- Job hunting
- academic pursuits
- entrepreneurship
- skill development

Key Concepts

Growth mindset earned success

Questions to Reflect On

- What skills can you develop now to increase your value?
- How do you balance effort with self‑care?

A Different Perspective

Not all opportunities are equally accessible; structural barriers exist.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Dollars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dollars/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/)

## Related quotes

> [I learned that I can earn many things if I don't use stunts and do everything myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gong-yoo/i-learned-that-i-can-earn-many-things-if-i-don-t-use-stunts-and-do/)

[Gong Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gong-yoo/)

> [You don't get your place in life,you earn it! You don't find your way in life,you make it! And you don't follow your dreams,you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simi-ngr/you-don-t-get-your-place-in-life-you-earn-it-you-don-t-find-your-way/)

[Simi Ngr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simi-ngr/)

> [In this life, to earn your place you have to fight for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakira/in-this-life-to-earn-your-place-you-have-to-fight-for-it/)

[Shakira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakira/)

> [The only way to enjoy anything in this life is to earn it first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-rogers/the-only-way-to-enjoy-anything-in-this-life-is-to-earn-it-first/)

[Ginger Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-rogers/)

> [Respect is something you lose once in life, and then you pay your whole life to earn it back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nawaid-m-sabri/respect-is-something-you-lose-once-in-life-and-then-you-pay-your/)

Nawaid M Sabri

> [In life, you will get only as much as you give. So give more to earn more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-mcdoodle/in-life-you-will-get-only-as-much-as-you-give-so-give-more-to-earn/)

[Jessica Mcdoodle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-mcdoodle/)

> [If you want the best things in life you have to earn them for yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayne-mansfield/if-you-want-the-best-things-in-life-you-have-to-earn-them-for-yourself/)

[Jayne Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayne-mansfield/)

> [I exercise hard and the reason I do is so that I can earn the things I like to consume.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-elton/i-exercise-hard-and-the-reason-i-do-is-so-that-i-can-earn-the-things/)

[Ben Elton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-elton/)

> [I really believe that you have to earn things. I don't feel comfortable unless I have worked really hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-watson/i-really-believe-that-you-have-to-earn-things-i-don-t-feel/)

[Emma Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-watson/)

> [The idea that you earn things - that you earn respect, that you earn income, responsibility. the vote, punishment... these ideas are anathema to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-idea-that-you-earn-things-that-you-earn-respect-that-you-earn/)

[Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/)

> [Life is here only to be lived so that we can, through life, earn the right to death, which to me is paradise. Whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bancroft/life-is-here-only-to-be-lived-so-that-we-can-through-life-earn-the/)

[Anne Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bancroft/)

> [Respect is something which if you lose once, then you will have to pay the cost of your whole life to earn it back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nawaid-m-sabri/respect-is-something-which-if-you-lose-once-then-you-will-have-to-pay/)

Nawaid M Sabri

> [Sports are my life. It is my life but it's also how I earn a living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/feyisa-lilesa/sports-are-my-life-it-is-my-life-but-it-s-also-how-i-earn-a-living/)

[Feyisa Lilesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/feyisa-lilesa/)

> [I do value my work awfully; but in reality only consider this: all this world of ours is nothing but a speck of mildew,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/i-do-value-my-work-awfully-but-in-reality-only-consider-this-all-this/)

[Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/)

> [Most people only value what they work for, people don't respect things when they are handed to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/most-people-only-value-what-they-work-for-people-don-t-respect-things/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by Eric Thomas

> [Your relationships will either make you or break you and there is no such thing as a neutral relationship. People either inspire you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/your-relationships-will-either-make-you-or-break-you-and-there-is-no/)

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

> [At some point in life you have to face your fears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/at-some-point-in-life-you-have-to-face-your-fears/)

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

> [When you're great! You attract great! When you're average! You attract average!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/when-you-re-great-you-attract-great-when-you-re-average-you-attract/)

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

> [“It's not easy, but it's simple.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/it-s-not-easy-but-it-s-simple/)

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

> [I kind of knew that there were a lot of people that didn't go to church and normally wouldn't listen to people, but they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/i-kind-of-knew-that-there-were-a-lot-of-people-that-didn-t-go-to/)

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

> [Las Vegas doesn't allow ( tourism ) to dictate the social norms of their community. We don't have to be a boring town that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/las-vegas-doesn-t-allow-tourism-to-dictate-the-social-norms-of-their/)

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

> [Where there is no struggle, there is absolutely no progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/where-there-is-no-struggle-there-is-absolutely-no-progress/)

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

> [You can change environments, but until you change yourself, nothing else will ever change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/you-can-change-environments-but-until-you-change-yourself-nothing/)

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

> [If you are going to win the fight of your life, you can't be afraid to fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/if-you-are-going-to-win-the-fight-of-your-life-you-can-t-be-afraid-to/)

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

> [Apply the ABC’s of success to your life. Ask, Believe and Claim It.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/apply-the-abc-s-of-success-to-your-life-ask-believe-and-claim-it/)

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

> [“IDENTIFY your CHALLENGE area. Describe the thoughts that you commonly have in that area. Describe the things that you commonly say concerning that area…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/identify-your-challenge-area-describe-the-thoughts-that-you-commonly/)

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

> [If you sleep,you will miss the OPPORTUNITY to be successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/if-you-sleep-you-will-miss-the-opportunity-to-be-successful/)

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

> [Sometimes it ain’t about being the most talented. Sometimes it ain’t about being the smartest. Sometimes it’s not even about working the hardest. Sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/sometimes-it-ain-t-about-being-the-most-talented-sometimes-it-ain-t/)

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

> [The difference between those who succeed and fail: not taking advantage of opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/the-difference-between-those-who-succeed-and-fail-not-taking/)

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

> [I think my greatest strengths are my hands. I am also good at getting separation from the defender and finding ways to get open.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/i-think-my-greatest-strengths-are-my-hands-i-am-also-good-at-getting/)

[Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

[Explore all 210 Eric Thomas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/)

## More Brain quotes

> [The brain abhors discrepancies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vilayanur-s-ramachandran/the-brain-abhors-discrepancies/)

[Vilayanur S. Ramachandran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vilayanur-s-ramachandran/)

> [In some circles where very heavy people think they have very heavy brains, words like "charming" and "clever" and "pretty" are all put-downs; all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/in-some-circles-where-very-heavy-people-think-they-have-very-heavy/)

[Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/)

> [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/)

[John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/)

> [down with ought with because with every brain that thinks it thinks nor dares to feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/down-with-ought-with-because-with-every-brain-that-thinks-it-thinks/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [To explicate the uses of the Brain seems as difficult a task as to paint the Soul, of which it is commonly said, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-willis/to-explicate-the-uses-of-the-brain-seems-as-difficult-a-task-as-to/)

[Thomas Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-willis/)

> [I prefer the word 'musician.' I'm a musician and a composer. I have a problem with the word 'artist.' I don't know if it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stromae/i-prefer-the-word-musician-i-m-a-musician-and-a-composer-i-have-a/)

[Stromae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stromae/)

> [Thinking of sex provides enough mental stimulation to reduce risk of diseases that damage the brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/thinking-of-sex-provides-enough-mental-stimulation-to-reduce-risk-of/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [My writing routine is: get son off to school and sit down at 8 A.M. I read what I wrote the day before, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chevalier/my-writing-routine-is-get-son-off-to-school-and-sit-down-at-8-a-m-i/)

[Tracy Chevalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chevalier/)

> [The reason I'm drawn to it is - both the off road racing and the motorcycles on the track - it takes a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dax-shepard/the-reason-i-m-drawn-to-it-is-both-the-off-road-racing-and-the/)

[Dax Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dax-shepard/)

> [Without illusions. I love you because you are fallible and because your poor misguided testosterone-corrupted brain has you doing cartwheels trying not to be.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-gerard/without-illusions-i-love-you-because-you-are-fallible-and-because/)

[Cindy Gerard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-gerard/)

> [being asked to decide between your passion for work and your passion for children was like being asked by your doctor whether you preferred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-bevington/being-asked-to-decide-between-your-passion-for-work-and-your-passion/)

[Helen Bevington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-bevington/)

> [I was told I had brain damage. I always knew it was an unfair label. Now I have a clearer understanding of what's wrong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-boyle/i-was-told-i-had-brain-damage-i-always-knew-it-was-an-unfair-label/)

[Susan Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-boyle/)

> [The act of learning to read added an entirely new circuit to our hominid brain's repertoire. The long developmental process of learning to read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryanne-wolf/the-act-of-learning-to-read-added-an-entirely-new-circuit-to-our/)

[Maryanne Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryanne-wolf/)

> [I can't let fear kill my creative brain. Fear is the killer. Your bad choices come from fear. And I'm constantly combating fear. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-can-t-let-fear-kill-my-creative-brain-fear-is-the-killer-your-bad/)

[Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/)

> [I am the way I am. If you like me because I'm glamorous, so be it. If you like me, because I speak well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malaika-arora-khan/i-am-the-way-i-am-if-you-like-me-because-i-m-glamorous-so-be-it-if/)

[Malaika Arora Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malaika-arora-khan/)

[Browse all 8,465 Brain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Understand the value of work and know that you get out of life what you earn. Some things have to be taken, its not given to you, they are not handing out multimillion dollar contracts or degrees, you have to use your brain!",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Eric Thomas"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/understand-the-value-of-work-and-know-that-you-get-out-of-life-what/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Brain"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/understand-the-value-of-work-and-know-that-you-get-out-of-life-what/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/702/eric-thomas-1758_brain_understand-the-value-of-work-and-know-th_3158966.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/702/eric-thomas-1758_brain_understand-the-value-of-work-and-know-th_3158966.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/702/eric-thomas-1758_brain_understand-the-value-of-work-and-know-th_3158966.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Understand the value of work and know that you get out of life what you earn. Some things have to be taken…” — Eric Thomas",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Eric Thomas",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Understand the value of work and...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/understand-the-value-of-work-and-know-that-you-get-out-of-life-what/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/understand-the-value-of-work-and-know-that-you-get-out-of-life-what/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
