Activity Quote by G. H. Hardy
“A man who sets out to justify his existence and his activities has to distinguish two different questions. The first is whether the work which he does is worth doing; and the second is why he does it (whatever its value may be).”
About This Quote
Source Book: A Mathematician's Apology, 1940
One must assess both the value of work and the purpose behind it, separating intrinsic worth from personal motivation.
In simple terms: Evaluate work's worth and why you do it.
Consider both value and purpose.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- artistic projects
- scientific research
- personal goals
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives you to pursue this work?
- Is the work valuable even if motivation shifts?
Purpose can be ambiguous and change over time.