--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The reward of a successful collaboration…" description: "\"The reward of a successful collaboration is a thing that cannot be produced by either of the parties working alone. It is akin to the benefits of sex w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b09/harlan-ellison-2133_baby_the-reward-of-a-successful-collaboration_2913626.jpg" --- # The reward of a successful collaboration is a thing that… ![“The reward of a successful collaboration is a thing that cannot be produced by either of the parties working alone. It is akin to the benefits of sex with a partner, as opposed to masturbation. The latter is fun, but you show me anyone who has gotten a baby from playing with him or herself, and…” quote by Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b09/harlan-ellison-2133_baby_the-reward-of-a-successful-collaboration_2913626.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b09/harlan-ellison-2133_baby_the-reward-of-a-successful-collaboration_2913626.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b09/harlan-ellison-2133_baby_the-reward-of-a-successful-collaboration_2913626.jpg) > “The reward of a successful collaboration is a thing that cannot be produced by either of the parties working alone. It is akin to the benefits of sex with a partner, as opposed to masturbation. The latter is fun, but you show me anyone who has gotten a baby from playing with him or herself, and I'll show you an ugly baby, with just a whole bunch of knuckles.” [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Collaboration yields outcomes unattainable alone, akin to sexual partnership producing life versus solitary pleasure that cannot. **In simple terms:** Working together creates unique results; solo effort has limits. Key Takeaway Seek partners to amplify impact. Themes collaboration creativity synergy Mood productive reflective Type strategic inspirational When to use this quote - business projects - artistic endeavors - scientific research Key Concepts co‑creation mutual benefit Questions to Reflect On - How can you align goals with collaborators? - What structures support equitable contribution? A Different Perspective Collaboration can be hindered by ego or misaligned goals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Baby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baby/) [Collaboration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collaboration/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Masturbation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masturbation/) [Party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/party/) [Reward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reward/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Sex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sex/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Teamwork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teamwork/) [Working alone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-alone/) ## Related quotes > [That brings me to Dennis Ritchie. Our collaboration has been a thing of beauty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-thompson/that-brings-me-to-dennis-ritchie-our-collaboration-has-been-a-thing/) [Ken Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-thompson/) > [A successful collaboration is all about trust and respect. If you show people trust they will perform better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oh-land/a-successful-collaboration-is-all-about-trust-and-respect-if-you-show/) [Oh Land](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oh-land/) > [“Cycling, like masturbation, is fun and easy to do - sometimes all day long.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-doig/cycling-like-masturbation-is-fun-and-easy-to-do-sometimes-all-day-long/) Tom Doig > [“Procrastination is like masturbation: it's fun for awhile, but in the end, you're only screwing yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-kunze/procrastination-is-like-masturbation-it-s-fun-for-awhile-but-in-the/) [Lauren Kunze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-kunze/) > [“The team must consist of three sorts of specialists, he says. Otherwise the revolution, whether in politics or the arts or the sciences or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/the-team-must-consist-of-three-sorts-of-specialists-he-says-otherwise/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [Science is a field which grows continuously with ever expanding frontiers. Further, it is truly international in scope. ... Science is a collaborative effort.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bardeen/science-is-a-field-which-grows-continuously-with-ever-expanding-2/) [John Bardeen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bardeen/) > [Working alone on a poem, a poet is of all artists the most free. 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But you could make more money than you ever imagined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-williams/freelance-isn-t-for-everyone-you-ve-got-to-be-aggressive-and-enjoy/) [Nicole Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-williams/) > [“Humility is, "nothing but that simple consent of the creature to let God be all, in virtue of which it surrenders itself to His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-murray/humility-is-nothing-but-that-simple-consent-of-the-creature-to-let/) [Andrew Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-murray/) > [“Working alone definitely has its advantages. There was no need for second-guessing decisions or discussions on how to work more efficiently. When you’re alone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justine-castellon/working-alone-definitely-has-its-advantages-there-was-no-need-for/) Justine Castellon > [Collaboration is such a thrill when you're working with someone you really respect. When it's just one person working alone you get a singular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-sheff/collaboration-is-such-a-thrill-when-you-re-working-with-someone-you/) [Will Sheff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-sheff/) > [“If you are working together, you can never be working alone”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-blumenstein/if-you-are-working-together-you-can-never-be-working-alone/) Jacob Blumenstein > [“We know and believe in our hearts that children become more engaged, motivated, and successful when they have choice over what they read, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-boushey-and-joan-moser/we-know-and-believe-in-our-hearts-that-children-become-more-engaged/) Gail boushey and Joan Moser ## More by Harlan Ellison > [Posing the question: does the god of love use underarm deodorant, vaginal spray and fluoride toothpaste?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/posing-the-question-does-the-god-of-love-use-underarm-deodorant/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [They change scapegoats at the networks more regularly than some people change socks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/they-change-scapegoats-at-the-networks-more-regularly-than-some/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [They minute people fall in love they become liars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/they-minute-people-fall-in-love-they-become-liars/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [Repent, Harlequin," said the Ticktock Man. "Get stuffed," the Harlequin replied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/repent-harlequin-said-the-ticktock-man-get-stuffed-the-harlequin/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“Living under the land, under the sea, in the belly of AM, whom we created...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/living-under-the-land-under-the-sea-in-the-belly-of-am-whom-we-created/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [I have no mouth. 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Forces that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/there-are-forces-in-the-world-today-mr-winsocki-that-are-invisibly/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“Men rarely (if ever) manage to dream up a god superior to themselves. Most gods have the manners and morals of a spoiled child.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/men-rarely-if-ever-manage-to-dream-up-a-god-superior-to-themselves/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [I write a kind of surreal fantasy, but they can't put 'surreal fantasy' on a paperback.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-write-a-kind-of-surreal-fantasy-but-they-can-t-put-surreal-fantasy/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [Don't start an argument with somebody who has a microphone when you don't. They'll make you look like chopped liver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/don-t-start-an-argument-with-somebody-who-has-a-microphone-when-you/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“I intend to keep writing stories that piss people off, that tell the particular kind of truth I think is valid, that will make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-intend-to-keep-writing-stories-that-piss-people-off-that-tell-the/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“Who Needs the Taj Mahal when it's a drag to live at all?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/who-needs-the-taj-mahal-when-it-s-a-drag-to-live-at-all/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [Like a wind crying endlessly through the universe, Time carries away the names and the deeds of conquerors and commoners alike. And all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/like-a-wind-crying-endlessly-through-the-universe-time-carries-away/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) [Explore all 165 Harlan Ellison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) ## More Baby quotes > [I would have done well as a gypsy child, I think. A circus baby. I coulda played a great street urchin or ragamuffin. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/i-would-have-done-well-as-a-gypsy-child-i-think-a-circus-baby-i/) [Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/) > [“I looked down into my baby’s beautiful green eyes and ached inside. She looked up at me with wide-eyed innocence. 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Parents who have little support--from friends, relatives, neighbors, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-kamerman/parents-who-are-stressed-or-disturbed-will-have-more-difficulty-in/) Sheila Kamerman > [Shhh.” He put a finger to her lips. “Hear me out. I cannot deny that I would've liked to have made babies with you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/shhh-he-put-a-finger-to-her-lips-hear-me-out-i-cannot-deny-that-i/) [Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/) > [I'm so happy baby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashanti/i-m-so-happy-baby/) [Ashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashanti/) > [Weezy F. Baby. F. is fo' finisha:)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wayne/weezy-f-baby-f-is-fo-finisha/) [Lil Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-wayne/) > [Baby, I love you. We argue about the stupidest shit then we turn around and laugh about it. I'm obsessed with you and you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay/baby-i-love-you-we-argue-about-the-stupidest-shit-then-we-turn-around/) Lindsay > [My dad's Israeli. He was born in Baghdad to Iraqi Jews. Then, at age two, his parents wanted to move to their homeland and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-yamin/my-dad-s-israeli-he-was-born-in-baghdad-to-iraqi-jews-then-at-age-two/) [Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/) > [Michael Jackson has a new baby boy; no word yet who the father is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/michael-jackson-has-a-new-baby-boy-no-word-yet-who-the-father-is/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [I always wondered why babies spend so much time sucking their thumbs. 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