--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is work that is work and there is…" description: "\"There is work that is work and there is play that is play; there is play that is work and work that is play. And in only one of these lies happiness.\" ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/gelett-burgess-12916_being-happy_there-is-work-that-is-work-and-there-is_2722162.jpg" --- # There is work that is work and there is play that is play… ![“There is work that is work and there is play that is play; there is play that is work and work that is play. And in only one of these lies happiness.” quote by Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/gelett-burgess-12916_being-happy_there-is-work-that-is-work-and-there-is_2722162.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/gelett-burgess-12916_being-happy_there-is-work-that-is-work-and-there-is_2722162.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/gelett-burgess-12916_being-happy_there-is-work-that-is-work-and-there-is_2722162.jpg) > “There is work that is work and there is play that is play; there is play that is work and work that is play. And in only one of these lies happiness.” [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Work and play can blend, but happiness lies in the balance where they intersect. **In simple terms:** Happiness is found where work and play intersect. Key Takeaway Seek balance between work and play. Themes balance happiness work-play dichotomy Mood thoughtful inspired Type advisory philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - leisure activities - time management - well‑being strategies Key Concepts Philosophy psychology life design Questions to Reflect On - How do you blend work and play? - What activities bring you joy? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on one can cause burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-happy/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Lies Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lies-happiness-1387367/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Play Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play-play-316870/) [Play Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play-work-506223/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-play/) ## Related quotes > [Make your work your play and your play your work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-jackson/make-your-work-your-play-and-your-play-your-work/) [Phil Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-jackson/) > [When work becomes play, and play becomes your work, your life unfolds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/when-work-becomes-play-and-play-becomes-your-work-your-life-unfolds/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [To play so as to be relaxed and refreshed for work is not to play, and no work is well and finely done unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/to-play-so-as-to-be-relaxed-and-refreshed-for-work-is-not-to-play-and/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) > [You may try your experiment for a week and see how you like it. I think by Saturday night you will find that all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-may-try-your-experiment-for-a-week-and-see-how-you-like-it-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“But for you, work is play. Not to work would be work.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-n-aron/but-for-you-work-is-play-not-to-work-would-be-work/) [Elaine N. Aron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-n-aron/) > [What work I have done I have done because it has been play. If it had been work I shouldn't have done it. .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-work-i-have-done-i-have-done-because-it-has-been-play-if-it-had-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-laurence-dunbar/all-play-and-no-work-makes-jack-a-mere-toy/) [Paul Laurence Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-laurence-dunbar/) > [What work I have done I have done because it has been play. If it had been work I shouldn't have done it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/what-work-i-have-done-i-have-done-because-it-has-been-play-if-it-had/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“The opposite of play is not work—the opposite of play is depression.” He explains, “Respecting our biologically programmed need for play can transform work.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/the-opposite-of-play-is-not-work-the-opposite-of-play-is-depression-2/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [The work that is really a man's own work is play and not work at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-work-that-is-really-a-man-s-own-work-is-play-and-not-work-at-all/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“Freud said that life is all about being able to love and to work. And I think it is about those things. But it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/freud-said-that-life-is-all-about-being-able-to-love-and-to-work-and/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [My work is play. And I play when I design. I even looked it up in the dictionary, to make sure that I actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-scher/my-work-is-play-and-i-play-when-i-design-i-even-looked-it-up-in-the/) [Paula Scher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-scher/) > [One more thing: don't spend too much time merely reading. The best part of this work is the play, so play and enjoy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/one-more-thing-don-t-spend-too-much-time-merely-reading-the-best-part/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [When you work, work. When you play, play. Don't mix the two.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/when-you-work-work-when-you-play-play-don-t-mix-the-two/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [“Charity In charity lies happiness and bliss, If you haven’t done charity, you may miss, The power to love and share, Charity gives you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-sen/charity-in-charity-lies-happiness-and-bliss-if-you-haven-t-done/) [Ron Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-sen/) ## More by Gelett Burgess > [No man knoweth how another man maketh his love, for women tell not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/no-man-knoweth-how-another-man-maketh-his-love-for-women-tell-not/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) > [Son, heed my instruction, and apply thyself to know women; let thine eyes observe her when she is with another, for what she doeth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/son-heed-my-instruction-and-apply-thyself-to-know-women-let-thine/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) > [When the waitress puts the dinner on the table, the old men look at the dinner. The young men look at the waitress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/when-the-waitress-puts-the-dinner-on-the-table-the-old-men-look-at/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) > [A maiden's first kiss cometh hard, yea, it is as the first olive out of a bottle, requiring much skill; but the rest are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/a-maiden-s-first-kiss-cometh-hard-yea-it-is-as-the-first-olive-out-of/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) > [A woman findeth in her last lover much of her first love; but a man seeth his next-to-the-last love, alway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/a-woman-findeth-in-her-last-lover-much-of-her-first-love-but-a-man/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) > [Many a maid have I won by a quarrel, when flattery was in no wise helpful; but take heed that thou art in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/many-a-maid-have-i-won-by-a-quarrel-when-flattery-was-in-no-wise/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) > [It is in the blood of genius to love play for its own sake, and whether one uses one's skill on thrones or women,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/it-is-in-the-blood-of-genius-to-love-play-for-its-own-sake-and/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) > [There are no roads in all Bohemia !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/there-are-no-roads-in-all-bohemia/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) > [Hurry not a woman's favor; neither forcer her hastily to surrender to thee. For she goeth into love as she goeth into the waters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/hurry-not-a-woman-s-favor-neither-forcer-her-hastily-to-surrender-to/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) > [A woman and a mouse, they carry a tale wherever they go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/a-woman-and-a-mouse-they-carry-a-tale-wherever-they-go/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) > [Count no matron happy until she hath passed thirty, and hath not waxed fat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/count-no-matron-happy-until-she-hath-passed-thirty-and-hath-not-waxed/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) > [Son, if a maiden love thee, thou shalt appear handsome in her sight; she shall praise thine eyes, and the corners of thy mouth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/son-if-a-maiden-love-thee-thou-shalt-appear-handsome-in-her-sight-she/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) > [There is indeed no such thing in life as absolute darkness; one's eyes revolt and hasten to fill the vacuum by floating in sparks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/there-is-indeed-no-such-thing-in-life-as-absolute-darkness-one-s-eyes/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) > [Can a woman entertain a man and a pet at the same time? I say unto thee, one of the twain shall suffer jealousy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/can-a-woman-entertain-a-man-and-a-pet-at-the-same-time-i-say-unto/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) > [Imagination is like a lofty building reared to meet the sky; whereas fancy is a balloon that soars at the wind's will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/imagination-is-like-a-lofty-building-reared-to-meet-the-sky-whereas/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) [Explore all 52 Gelett Burgess quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) ## More Being happy quotes > [I don't want to be famous famous. I'm happy on the second tier, where I have autonomy on a professional level but I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-reece/i-don-t-want-to-be-famous-famous-i-m-happy-on-the-second-tier-where-i/) [Gabrielle Reece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-reece/) > [I may never be good enough for everybody. But I'll always be the best for someone who's contented to have me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-may-never-be-good-enough-for-everybody-but-i-ll-always-be-the-best/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person that can bring you happiness is you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-that-can-bring-you-happiness-is-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Single as a dollar and not looking for change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/single-as-a-dollar-and-not-looking-for-change/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Face Everything in your life, it will make you discover many things and you will realize the true meaning of life. Life never seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushan-sharma/face-everything-in-your-life-it-will-make-you-discover-many-things/) [Sushan Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushan-sharma/) > [I'm closer to being happy. I'm doing things that make me happy. In football I loved to practice and I loved to play, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-williams/i-m-closer-to-being-happy-i-m-doing-things-that-make-me-happy-in/) [Ricky Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-williams/) > [If you aren't happy being single you're not going to be happy in a relationship.Find your own happiness first..then share it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/my-favorite-qoutes/if-you-aren-t-happy-being-single-you-re-not-going-to-be-happy-in-a/) [My Favorite Qoutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/my-favorite-qoutes/) > [Why is it that anyone can pretend to be someone there not and never be someone they are?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akeem/why-is-it-that-anyone-can-pretend-to-be-someone-there-not-and-never/) [Akeem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akeem/) > [Just be you. Do what you love. I've learned that in the end, you can't make everyone happy no matter what you say or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/just-be-you-do-what-you-love-i-ve-learned-that-in-the-end-you-can-t/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [You put a smile on my face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyrala/you-put-a-smile-on-my-face/) [Joyrala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyrala/) > [Never give up on something when in fact you know that it's the only thing that could make you happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariejoie-uro/never-give-up-on-something-when-in-fact-you-know-that-it-s-the-only/) [Mariejoie Uro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariejoie-uro/) > [Being happy is better than being a King...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-sibiya/being-happy-is-better-than-being-a-king/) [Elton Sibiya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-sibiya/) > [The first step to happiness is deciding what you want, the second step is doing whatever it takes to get it and the last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-first-step-to-happiness-is-deciding-what-you-want-the-second-step/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Time moves on and we later regret the things not done, the words not said, the love not shown, life's too short, do what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/time-moves-on-and-we-later-regret-the-things-not-done-the-words-not/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [The thing that counts most in the pursuit of happiness is choosing the right companion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/the-thing-that-counts-most-in-the-pursuit-of-happiness-is-choosing/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) [Browse all 1,377 Being happy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-happy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is work that is work and there is play that is play; there is play that is work and work that is play. 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