--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Labor is life! 'Tis the still water…" description: "\"Labor is life! 'Tis the still water faileth; Idleness ever despaireth, bewaileth; Keep the watch wound, for the dark rust assaileth.\" — Frances Sargent..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/780/frances-sargent-osgood-31007_dark_labor-is-life-tis-the-still-water-failet_2646081.jpg" --- # Labor is life! 'Tis the still water faileth; Idleness ever… ![“Labor is life! 'Tis the still water faileth; Idleness ever despaireth, bewaileth; Keep the watch wound, for the dark rust assaileth.” quote by Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/780/frances-sargent-osgood-31007_dark_labor-is-life-tis-the-still-water-failet_2646081.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/780/frances-sargent-osgood-31007_dark_labor-is-life-tis-the-still-water-failet_2646081.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/780/frances-sargent-osgood-31007_dark_labor-is-life-tis-the-still-water-failet_2646081.jpg) > “Labor is life! 'Tis the still water faileth; Idleness ever despaireth, bewaileth; Keep the watch wound, for the dark rust assaileth.” [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Labor sustains life; idleness leads to decay, vigilance protects against hidden threats. **In simple terms:** Work keeps life alive; laziness causes ruin. Key Takeaway Stay active and watchful. Themes work vigilance decay life danger Mood determined serious Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - personal health - career - daily routine - preventing neglect Key Concepts Stoicism self‑discipline time Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance activity with rest? - What hidden threats do you overlook? A Different Perspective Neglecting rest can cause burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark/) [Idleness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idleness/) [Labor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labor/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Still waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/still-waters/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Wounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wounds/) ## Related quotes > [Dignify and glorify common labor. It is at the bottom of life that we must begin, not at the top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/dignify-and-glorify-common-labor-it-is-at-the-bottom-of-life-that-we/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [Labor is life; thought is light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/labor-is-life-thought-is-light/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [“With the term vita activa, I propose to designate three fundamental human activities: labor, work, and action. They are fundamental because each corresponds to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/with-the-term-vita-activa-i-propose-to-designate-three-fundamental/) [Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/) > [Labor is life: from the inmost heart of the worker rises his God-given force, the sacred celestial life-essence breathed into him by Almighty God!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/labor-is-life-from-the-inmost-heart-of-the-worker-rises-his-god-given/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [Variación / Variations El remanso de aire bajo la rama del eco. 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They're a blessed little race, Peeping up in fancy's face, In the valley, on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/did-you-ever-hear-of-the-frolic-fairies-dear-they-re-a-blessed-little/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [To hallow'd duty Here with a loyal and heroic heart, Bind we our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/to-hallow-d-duty-here-with-a-loyal-and-heroic-heart-bind-we-our-lives/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [He whom nature thus bereaves, Is ever fancy's favourite child; For thee enchanted dreams she weaves Of changeful beauty, bright and wild.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/he-whom-nature-thus-bereaves-is-ever-fancy-s-favourite-child-for-thee/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [An exile, ill in heart and frame,-- A wanderer, weary of the way;-- A stranger, without love's sweet claim On any heart, go where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/an-exile-ill-in-heart-and-frame-a-wanderer-weary-of-the-way-a/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [Labor! all labor is noble and holy! Let thy great deeds be thy prayer to thy God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/labor-all-labor-is-noble-and-holy-let-thy-great-deeds-be-thy-prayer/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [No grief so soft, no pain so sweet, as love's delicious melancholy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/no-grief-so-soft-no-pain-so-sweet-as-love-s-delicious-melancholy/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [Labor is rest--from the sorrow that greet us; Rest from all petty vexations that meet us, Rest from sin-promptings that ever entreat us, Rest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/labor-is-rest-from-the-sorrow-that-greet-us-rest-from-all-petty/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [Lie not down wearied 'neath Woe's weeping willow; work with a stout heart and resolute will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/lie-not-down-wearied-neath-woe-s-weeping-willow-work-with-a-stout/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [Love is the greatest of educators.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/love-is-the-greatest-of-educators/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [Within the oyster's shell uncouth The purest pearl may hide, Trust me you'll find a heart of truth Within that rough outside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/within-the-oyster-s-shell-uncouth-the-purest-pearl-may-hide-trust-me/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [Labor is rest from the sorrows that greet us; from all the petty vexations that meet us; from the sin-promptings that assail us; from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/labor-is-rest-from-the-sorrows-that-greet-us-from-all-the-petty/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [Call me names, dearest! 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