--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Labor is rest--from the sorrow that greet…" description: "\"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 from the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/843/frances-sargent-osgood-31007_care_labor-is-rest-from-the-sorrow-that-greet_1134847.jpg" --- # Labor is rest--from the sorrow that greet us; Rest from… ![“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 from the world-sirens that hire us to ill. Work--and pure slumbers shall wait on thy pillow; Work--thou shalt ride over Care's coming billow; Lie not down…” quote by Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/843/frances-sargent-osgood-31007_care_labor-is-rest-from-the-sorrow-that-greet_1134847.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/843/frances-sargent-osgood-31007_care_labor-is-rest-from-the-sorrow-that-greet_1134847.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/843/frances-sargent-osgood-31007_care_labor-is-rest-from-the-sorrow-that-greet_1134847.jpg) > “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 from the world-sirens that hire us to ill. Work--and pure slumbers shall wait on thy pillow; Work--thou shalt ride over Care's coming billow; Lie not down wearied 'neath Woe's weeping willow! Work with a stout heart and resolute will!” [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. The poem contrasts work and rest, urging diligent effort to overcome sorrow, temptation, and worldly distractions, promising peace and fulfillment as a reward. **In simple terms:** Work brings peace; rest follows effort. Key Takeaway Embrace diligent work for inner calm. Themes work discipline spirituality resilience Mood determined reflective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - daily chores - career challenges - spiritual practice - overcoming addiction Key Concepts Stoicism moral philosophy self‑control Questions to Reflect On - How does disciplined work shape your inner peace? - What distractions hinder your productivity? A Different Perspective Rest without effort may lead to stagnation and missed growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ill/) [Labor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labor/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Resolute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolute/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Sirens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sirens/) [Sorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorrow/) [Weeping willows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weeping-willows/) [Woe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/woe/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [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/) > [“Now, there is no rest in sin. The wicked know nothing about it. The Scriptures tell us the wicked “are like the troubled sea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-l-moody/now-there-is-no-rest-in-sin-the-wicked-know-nothing-about-it-the/) [D.L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-l-moody/) > [God has set labor and rest, as day and night to men successive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/god-has-set-labor-and-rest-as-day-and-night-to-men-successive/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [He hath given me rest by His sorrow, and life by His death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/he-hath-given-me-rest-by-his-sorrow-and-life-by-his-death/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [What Greater Thing is there for two human souls, Than to feel that they are joined for life to, Strengthen each other in all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-low/what-greater-thing-is-there-for-two-human-souls-than-to-feel-that-5/) [Alex Low](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-low/) > [“What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life--to strengthen each other in all labor,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/what-greater-thing-is-there-for-two-human-souls-than-to-feel-that-3/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [“Oh, Atticus,” it says soft, and the softness is scarier than the rest in its sorrow. “I’d have done anything you asked. I’d have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leah-bobet/oh-atticus-it-says-soft-and-the-softness-is-scarier-than-the-rest-in/) [Leah Bobet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leah-bobet/) > [“Weeping willows always remind me of summer. And sadness. Please stop crying sweet tree.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/weeping-willows-always-remind-me-of-summer-and-sadness-please-stop/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [I spent my childhood outdoors on my grandparents' farm. I learned to ride a motorbike when I was about six, a little PeeWee 50.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-kerr/i-spent-my-childhood-outdoors-on-my-grandparents-farm-i-learned-to/) [Miranda Kerr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-kerr/) > [“Weeping willows trailed their branches in the water like playful fingers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-george/weeping-willows-trailed-their-branches-in-the-water-like-playful/) [Nina George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-george/) > [When you get into Louisiana, it really is like a different country in a lot of ways. The plants you see are a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-trammell/when-you-get-into-louisiana-it-really-is-like-a-different-country-in/) [Sam Trammell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-trammell/) > [“The Weeping Willows stood bleeding around the bed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hala-alzaghal/the-weeping-willows-stood-bleeding-around-the-bed/) [Hala Alzaghal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hala-alzaghal/) > [I’m alone with the ghost of the swamp, somewhere near the weeping willows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-herrick/i-m-alone-with-the-ghost-of-the-swamp-somewhere-near-the-weeping/) [Steven Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-herrick/) > [“Weeping willows remind me of summer. And sadness. I wonder if tissues are made out of their trunks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/weeping-willows-remind-me-of-summer-and-sadness-i-wonder-if-tissues/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) ## More by Frances Sargent Osgood > [And wheresoever, in his rich creation, Sweet music breathes--in wave, or bird, or soul-- 'Tis but the faint and far reverberation Of that great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/and-wheresoever-in-his-rich-creation-sweet-music-breathes-in-wave-or/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [Did you ever hear Of the frolic fairies dear? 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/) > [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! Call me thy bird That flies to thy breast at one cherishing word, That folds its wild wings there, ne'er…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/call-me-names-dearest-call-me-thy-bird-that-flies-to-thy-breast-at/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [Better confide and be deceiv'd, A thousand times, by treacherous foes, Than once accuse the innocent, Or let suspicion mar repose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/better-confide-and-be-deceiv-d-a-thousand-times-by-treacherous-foes/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [With strength to meet sorrow, and faith to endure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/with-strength-to-meet-sorrow-and-faith-to-endure/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [And yet we check and chide The airy angels as they float about us, With rules of so-called wisdom, till they grow The same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/and-yet-we-check-and-chide-the-airy-angels-as-they-float-about-us/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) [Explore all 17 Frances Sargent Osgood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) ## More Care quotes > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [We all know what it feels like to love someone and care about them and want to protect them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiana-madeira/we-all-know-what-it-feels-like-to-love-someone-and-care-about-them/) [Kiana Madeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiana-madeira/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [I certainly do care for you Jeff Campbell less than you are always thinking and much more than you are ever knowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/i-certainly-do-care-for-you-jeff-campbell-less-than-you-are-always/) [Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/) > [Advances in technology will continue to reach far into every sector of our economy. Future job and economic growth in industry, defense, transportation, agriculture,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-bond/advances-in-technology-will-continue-to-reach-far-into-every-sector/) [Christopher Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-bond/) > [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. 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