--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In our production-oriented society, being…" description: "\"In our production-oriented society, being busy, having an occupation, has become one of the main ways, if not the main way, of identifying ourselves. W..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/674/henri-nouwen-600_being-busy_in-our-production-oriented-society-being_2664278.png" --- # In our production-oriented society, being busy, having an… ![“In our production-oriented society, being busy, having an occupation, has become one of the main ways, if not the main way, of identifying ourselves. Without an occupation, not just our economic security but our very identity is endangered.” quote by Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/674/henri-nouwen-600_being-busy_in-our-production-oriented-society-being_2664278.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/674/henri-nouwen-600_being-busy_in-our-production-oriented-society-being_2664278.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/674/henri-nouwen-600_being-busy_in-our-production-oriented-society-being_2664278.png) > “In our production-oriented society, being busy, having an occupation, has become one of the main ways, if not the main way, of identifying ourselves. Without an occupation, not just our economic security but our very identity is endangered.” [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. In a production‑driven culture, work defines identity, and loss of occupation threatens both economic security and self‑concept. **In simple terms:** Work defines identity today. Key Takeaway Find identity beyond job. Themes work identity society Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical psychological When to use this quote - career counseling - skill development - mental health support Key Concepts existentialism economic stability Questions to Reflect On - What defines you beyond work? - How can you build a non‑work identity? A Different Perspective Over‑identification with work can cause burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being busy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-busy/) [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Economic security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic-security/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Occupation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occupation/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society/) ## Related quotes > [“the superfluity of the comforts of like destroys all joy in satisfying one's needs, while great freedom in the choice of occupation...is just what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-superfluity-of-the-comforts-of-like-destroys-all-joy-in/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [I don't sit around thinking about my absence from society, because I'm too busy getting on with life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-lipman/i-don-t-sit-around-thinking-about-my-absence-from-society-because-i-m/) [Maureen Lipman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-lipman/) > [The truth is, I think we are a self-less society, not a selfish society. Because we're so busy now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/the-truth-is-i-think-we-are-a-self-less-society-not-a-selfish-society/) [Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/) > [“We’re a society of busy people—and there’s a multitude of fast food, drive-thru options just for our convenience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarrid-wilson/we-re-a-society-of-busy-people-and-there-s-a-multitude-of-fast-food/) [Jarrid Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarrid-wilson/) > [Ohioans need reliable and affordable energy sources, and America's national and economic security depends on onshoring and expanding energy production.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-husted/ohioans-need-reliable-and-affordable-energy-sources-and-america-s/) [Jon Husted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-husted/) > [Framework, (...) addiction to female beauty and sex; deprivation of the beautiful woman and sex with her until the man guarantees economic security in return; (.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/framework-addiction-to-female-beauty-and-sex-deprivation-of-the/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [There are many challenges our country has - our economic security, our national security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-morrison/there-are-many-challenges-our-country-has-our-economic-security-our/) [Scott Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-morrison/) > [Your economic security does not lie in your job; it lies in your own power to produce - to think, to learn, to create,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/your-economic-security-does-not-lie-in-your-job-it-lies-in-your-own/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Anyone who says that economic security is a human right, has been to much babied. While he babbles, other men are risking and losing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-wilder-lane/anyone-who-says-that-economic-security-is-a-human-right-has-been-to/) [Rose Wilder Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-wilder-lane/) > [To help U.S. workers, farmers and businesses, and Americas long-term economic security, Congress should take decisive action to bring about fair trade with China,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-baca/to-help-u-s-workers-farmers-and-businesses-and-americas-long-term/) [Joe Baca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-baca/) > [The realities of the modern global economy require government to play a substantial role in ensuring the national and economic security of the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/the-realities-of-the-modern-global-economy-require-government-to-play/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [ In Stage I, divorces were not allowed, so men's \[sexual\] affairs did not put women's economic security in jeopardy; in Stage II, affairs could… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/in-stage-i-divorces-were-not-allowed-so-men-s-sexual-affairs-did-not/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [Black men, Indian men, and gay men have all have something in common: They do not provide an economic security blanket for women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/black-men-indian-men-and-gay-men-have-all-have-something-in-common/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [It is not till it is discovered that high individual incomes will not purchase the mass of mankind immunity from cholera, typhus, and ignorance,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-h-tawney/it-is-not-till-it-is-discovered-that-high-individual-incomes-will-not/) [R. H. Tawney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-h-tawney/) > [We will never know what anyone is really like, until everyone has economic security and doesn't have to answer to anyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/we-will-never-know-what-anyone-is-really-like-until-everyone-has/) [Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/) ## More by Henri Nouwen > [We are not the healers, we are not the reconcilers, we are not the givers of life. We are sinful, broken, vulnerable people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-are-not-the-healers-we-are-not-the-reconcilers-we-are-not-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The more we touch the intimate love of God which creates, sustains, and guides us, the more we recognize the multitude of fruits that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-more-we-touch-the-intimate-love-of-god-which-creates-sustains-and/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Feelings of guilt dominate our work as peacemakers we cannot last long. But when we have opened each other's eyes to the great human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/feelings-of-guilt-dominate-our-work-as-peacemakers-we-cannot-last/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [...we all want to hear stories, from the moment we are born to the moment we die. Stories connect our little lives with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-all-want-to-hear-stories-from-the-moment-we-are-born-to-the-moment/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I have found it very important...to let go of my wishes and start hoping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/i-have-found-it-very-important-to-let-go-of-my-wishes-and-start-hoping/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Simply being with someone is difficult because it asks of us that we share in the other's vulnerability, enter with him or her into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/simply-being-with-someone-is-difficult-because-it-asks-of-us-that-we/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Somewhere we know that without silence, words lose their meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/somewhere-we-know-that-without-silence-words-lose-their-meaning/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Jesus says, "Keep your heart on the kingdom first. Keep your heart on God's love. Keep focused on the fact that you are God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/jesus-says-keep-your-heart-on-the-kingdom-first-keep-your-heart-on/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [This sounds very simple and maybe even trite, but very few people know that they are loved without condition or limits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/this-sounds-very-simple-and-maybe-even-trite-but-very-few-people-know/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [“The more preoccupied we are with security the more visible the force of death becomes, whether in the form of a pistol beside our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-more-preoccupied-we-are-with-security-the-more-visible-the-force/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [If you feel a great loneliness and a deep longing for human contact, you have to be extremely discerning...and ask yourself whether this situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/if-you-feel-a-great-loneliness-and-a-deep-longing-for-human-contact/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I choose L'Arche; L'Arche chooses me. I would be dead if I weren't here. I need people to love me and care for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/i-choose-l-arche-l-arche-chooses-me-i-would-be-dead-if-i-weren-t-here/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now, is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God's eyes, called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-truth-even-though-i-cannot-feel-it-right-now-is-that-i-am-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [In a world so torn apart by rivalry, anger, and hatred, we have the privileged vocation to be living signs of a love that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/in-a-world-so-torn-apart-by-rivalry-anger-and-hatred-we-have-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Where true inner freedom is, there is God. And where God is, there we want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/where-true-inner-freedom-is-there-is-god-and-where-god-is-there-we/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) [Explore all 452 Henri Nouwen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) ## More Being busy quotes > [Focus on being productive instead of busy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-ferriss/focus-on-being-productive-instead-of-busy/) [Tim Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-ferriss/) > [I have no social life. There is no time for one. Once in a while I may go to dinner with a friend but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-halliday/i-have-no-social-life-there-is-no-time-for-one-once-in-a-while-i-may/) [Liz Halliday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-halliday/) > [Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/being-busy-does-not-always-mean-real-work-the-object-of-all-work-is/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [It's possible to be busy but not effective. Everyone's often busy, but few are effective. The effective are, the successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-w-griffin/it-s-possible-to-be-busy-but-not-effective-everyone-s-often-busy-but/) [Kenneth W Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-w-griffin/) > [Don't mistake movement for achievement. It's easy to get faked out by being busy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/don-t-mistake-movement-for-achievement-it-s-easy-to-get-faked-out-by/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [The irony is that we are busy doing many things that don't matter and we have no time for things that do. Shouldnt we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-irony-is-that-we-are-busy-doing-many-things-that-don-t-matter-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being busy with work, and as a mum, I'm a big fan of online shopping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsty-gallacher/being-busy-with-work-and-as-a-mum-i-m-a-big-fan-of-online-shopping/) [Kirsty Gallacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsty-gallacher/) > [Pretending that you're very busy talking over phone when you see someone you want to avoid or don't want to talk to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raghav-singh/pretending-that-you-re-very-busy-talking-over-phone-when-you-see/) [Raghav Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raghav-singh/) > [Life's what happens when you're making other plans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/life-s-what-happens-when-you-re-making-other-plans/) [John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/) > [It's like I'm busy being happy and you're busy bringing me down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-like-i-m-busy-being-happy-and-you-re-busy-bringing-me-down/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I keep myself busy with the things to do but every time I pause I still think of you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-keep-myself-busy-with-the-things-to-do-but-every-time-i-pause-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being busy is not an excuse for you to live an unhealthy life. Plan your time wisely. Make time for working out & other activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-busy-is-not-an-excuse-for-you-to-live-an-unhealthy-life-plan/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is despite the hard work and juggling required to keep the different facets of the frantic life afloat, the "superwoman"has one marvelous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bettina-arndt/the-truth-is-despite-the-hard-work-and-juggling-required-to-keep-the/) Bettina Arndt > [Then get busy and find out how to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/then-get-busy-and-find-out-how-to-do-it/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [The truth is that's always when it's the most fun, when you're able to just be wherever you are, be whatever scene it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-rabe/the-truth-is-that-s-always-when-it-s-the-most-fun-when-you-re-able-to/) [Lily Rabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-rabe/) [Browse all 107 Being busy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-busy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In our production-oriented society, being busy, having an occupation, has become one of the main ways, if not the main way, of identifying ourselves. Without an occupation, not just our economic security but our very identity is endangered.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henri Nouwen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/in-our-production-oriented-society-being-busy-having-an-occupation/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being busy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/in-our-production-oriented-society-being-busy-having-an-occupation/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/674/henri-nouwen-600_being-busy_in-our-production-oriented-society-being_2664278.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/674/henri-nouwen-600_being-busy_in-our-production-oriented-society-being_2664278.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/674/henri-nouwen-600_being-busy_in-our-production-oriented-society-being_2664278.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In our production-oriented society, being busy, having an occupation, has become one of the main ways, if…” — Henri Nouwen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Henri Nouwen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In our production-oriented society, being busy,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/in-our-production-oriented-society-being-busy-having-an-occupation/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/in-our-production-oriented-society-being-busy-having-an-occupation/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```