Arms Quote by George Eliot
“I can't abide to see men throw away their tools i' that way, the minute the clock begins to strike, as if they took no pleasure i' their work, and was afraid o' doing a stroke too much… I hate to see a man's arms drop down as if he was shot, before the clock's fairly struck, just as if he'd never a bit o' pride and delight in's work. The very grindstone 'ull go on turning a bit after you loose it.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Middlemarch, 1871
People who lose pride in their work become disengaged, leading to a loss of purpose and a feeling of being broken.
In simple terms: Losing pride in work makes life feel empty.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate pride and purpose in daily tasks.
Themes
work ethic
pride
purpose
human dignity
Mood
reflective
somber
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- manual labor
- creative professions
- routine tasks
- career transitions
Key Concepts
meaningful labor
self‑respect
psychological health
Questions to Reflect On
- What gives you pride in your work?
- How can you restore meaning when it fades?
A Different Perspective
Not all work can be fulfilling; external pressures may limit pride.
![“[W]e must learn to accommodate ourselves to the discovery that some of those cunningly-fashioned instruments called human souls have only a very limited range of music, and will not vibrate in the least under a touch that fills others with tremulous rapture or quivering agony.” quote by George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9be/george-eliot-84_agony_w-e-must-learn-to-accommodate-ourselves_12409.jpg)
