---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...I've stopped wanting to do any work at…"
description: "\"...I've stopped wanting to do any work at all. All work is bullshit. Everyone knows that. No matter how many telephones and extensions, no matter how m..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f3/irena-klepfisz-34678_bullshit_i-ve-stopped-wanting-to-do-any-work-at-a_338611.jpg"
---

#  ...I've stopped wanting to do any work at all. All work is…

![“...I've stopped wanting to do any work at all. All work is bullshit. Everyone knows that. No matter how many telephones and extensions, no matter how many secretaries, no matter how many names in the rolodex. It's all bullshit.” quote by Irena Klepfisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f3/irena-klepfisz-34678_bullshit_i-ve-stopped-wanting-to-do-any-work-at-a_338611.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f3/irena-klepfisz-34678_bullshit_i-ve-stopped-wanting-to-do-any-work-at-a_338611.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f3/irena-klepfisz-34678_bullshit_i-ve-stopped-wanting-to-do-any-work-at-a_338611.jpg)

> “...I've stopped wanting to do any work at all. All work is bullshit. Everyone knows that. No matter how many telephones and extensions, no matter how many secretaries, no matter how many names in the rolodex. It's all bullshit.”

[Irena Klepfisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker expresses deep cynicism toward work, seeing it as meaningless and burdensome.

**In simple terms:** Work feels pointless and oppressive.

Key Takeaway

Question the value of work and seek meaning.

Themes

cynicism work meaninglessness

Mood

frustrated disillusioned

Type

critical reflective

When to use this quote

- career burnout
- job dissatisfaction
- search for purpose
- mental health
- life balance

Key Concepts

Existential dread social critique

Questions to Reflect On

- What would make work feel meaningful to you?
- How can you reclaim agency in your tasks?

A Different Perspective

The view may overlook the potential for fulfilling or creative work.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bullshit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bullshit/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/)

## Related quotes

> [“If people are meant to be together, they work through their bullshit and they find ways to fix it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-m-arthur/if-people-are-meant-to-be-together-they-work-through-their-bullshit/)

A.M. Arthur

> [I never really felt like my age stopped people from wanting to work with me. I was speaking at conferences and lecturing at universities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mickiewicz/i-never-really-felt-like-my-age-stopped-people-from-wanting-to-work/)

[Matt Mickiewicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mickiewicz/)

> [Wanting to work is a luxury; having to work is not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-guttenberg/wanting-to-work-is-a-luxury-having-to-work-is-not/)

[Steve Guttenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-guttenberg/)

> [When I'm working, I have a hard time switching off, and when I'm not working, I have a hard time thinking of ever wanting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-massenet/when-i-m-working-i-have-a-hard-time-switching-off-and-when-i-m-not/)

[Natalie Massenet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-massenet/)

> [There are many projects that come an actor's way, and one cannot say yes to all of them. Reasons of saying no vary all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taapsee-pannu/there-are-many-projects-that-come-an-actor-s-way-and-one-cannot-say/)

[Taapsee Pannu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taapsee-pannu/)

> [I'm reading scripts, desperately wanting to work. I've set a couple of things up for next year](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-hunnam/i-m-reading-scripts-desperately-wanting-to-work-i-ve-set-a-couple-of/)

[Charlie Hunnam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-hunnam/)

> [There's a big difference between wanting to work and having to work. And I had to learn that the hard way. Now money is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-caan/there-s-a-big-difference-between-wanting-to-work-and-having-to-work/)

[James Caan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-caan/)

> [Wanting to work is so rare a merit, that it should be encouraged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/wanting-to-work-is-so-rare-a-merit-that-it-should-be-encouraged/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [Wanting to work is a luxury; having to work is not. If you're an artist, an actor, and you don't have to work, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-guttenberg/wanting-to-work-is-a-luxury-having-to-work-is-not-if-you-re-an-artist/)

[Steve Guttenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-guttenberg/)

> [I identify with someone wanting something to work out, but not being able to get through the rocks to the river.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-hirsch/i-identify-with-someone-wanting-something-to-work-out-but-not-being/)

[Emile Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-hirsch/)

> [“Man stopped wanting to walk, to walk on his own feet and enjoy it. What's more he longer saw his own life as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/man-stopped-wanting-to-walk-to-walk-on-his-own-feet-and-enjoy-it-what/)

[Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/)

> [“Jest when we stopped wanting to kill ourselves, we started to die.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/jest-when-we-stopped-wanting-to-kill-ourselves-we-started-to-die/)

[David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/)

> [“You think I ever stopped wanting to die after the motel?" I ask. "You think a feeling like that just goes away?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-summers/you-think-i-ever-stopped-wanting-to-die-after-the-motel-i-ask-you/)

[Courtney Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-summers/)

> [Once I started advancing in my career, I stopped wanting to hide from my reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-guerrero/once-i-started-advancing-in-my-career-i-stopped-wanting-to-hide-from/)

[Diane Guerrero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-guerrero/)

> [“One day, at least it seemed that fast, she just stopped wanting to be a part of anything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-asher/one-day-at-least-it-seemed-that-fast-she-just-stopped-wanting-to-be-a/)

[Jay Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-asher/)

## More by Irena Klepfisz

> [How do we work together? For if we want liberation for women, then we're committed to building a society in which these distances--of class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/how-do-we-work-together-for-if-we-want-liberation-for-women-then-we/)

[Irena Klepfisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/)

> [“&amp; they kind of probe about your future &amp; if you have a will or why you bother to accumulate all that stuff or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/they-kind-of-probe-about-your-future-if-you-have-a-will-or-why-you/)

[Irena Klepfisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/)

> [What we grieve for is not the loss of a grand vision, but rather the loss of common things, events and gestures… ordinariness is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/what-we-grieve-for-is-not-the-loss-of-a-grand-vision-but-rather-the/)

[Irena Klepfisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/)

> [Poland remains undzer heym, our home, no matter how bitter the memories, how filled with disappointment and betrayal. Amerike iz goles, America is exile,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/poland-remains-undzer-heym-our-home-no-matter-how-bitter-the-memories/)

[Irena Klepfisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/)

> [...I am an outsider, a lesbian, a shikse. The Jewish community is not my community. But as a Jew--as a Jew in a Christian,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/i-am-an-outsider-a-lesbian-a-shikse-the-jewish-community-is-not-my/)

[Irena Klepfisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/)

> [...Jews must learn to say without excuse, without equivocation: despite our history and our powerlessnessin the past, despite all the injustices that we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/jews-must-learn-to-say-without-excuse-without-equivocation-despite/)

[Irena Klepfisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/)

> [To most middle-class feminists, as to most middle-class non-feminists, working-class women remain mysterious creatures to be “reached out to” in some abstract way. No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/to-most-middle-class-feminists-as-to-most-middle-class-non-feminists/)

[Irena Klepfisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/)

> [“I numb myself and begin the body check skimming quickly unwilling to be caught in strangers' tragedies, only looking directly at those whom I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/i-numb-myself-and-begin-the-body-check-skimming-quickly-unwilling-to/)

[Irena Klepfisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/)

> [Most Jewish feminists and gays that I know remain angry and frustrated by Jewish progressives. Deeply committed to progressive causes, frequently in the vanguard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/most-jewish-feminists-and-gays-that-i-know-remain-angry-and/)

[Irena Klepfisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/)

> [...Iknow the bitter fact that most lives are incredibly wasted, that opportunities for developing identity, for receiving pleasure, for achieving a sense of self-worth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/iknow-the-bitter-fact-that-most-lives-are-incredibly-wasted-that/)

[Irena Klepfisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/)

> [The aspirations of most people--security, pleasure, leisure, meaningful work, creative and intellectual pursuits--are to be supported. These desires and dreams are not shameful. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/the-aspirations-of-most-people-security-pleasure-leisure-meaningful/)

[Irena Klepfisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/)

> [...Jews must learn to say without excuse, without equivocation: despite our history and our powerlessness in the past, despite allthe injustices that we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/jews-must-learn-to-say-without-excuse-without-equivocation-despite-2/)

[Irena Klepfisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/)

> [I have never heard of a tradition among Jews that encourages us to support each others' differences. Quite the contrary. What I've always been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/i-have-never-heard-of-a-tradition-among-jews-that-encourages-us-to/)

[Irena Klepfisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/)

[Explore all 14 Irena Klepfisz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/)

## More Bullshit quotes

> [I rap when I'm rich. I rap when I'm broke. I rap when I'm bullshit in the street. I rap about only having one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/killer-mike/i-rap-when-i-m-rich-i-rap-when-i-m-broke-i-rap-when-i-m-bullshit-in/)

[Killer Mike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/killer-mike/)

> [Yesterday's truth is today's bullshit. Even yesterday's liberating insight is today's jail of stale explanation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-blanton/yesterday-s-truth-is-today-s-bullshit-even-yesterday-s-liberating/)

[Brad Blanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-blanton/)

> [The one thing I absolutely hate about social media are the people who abuse it. Whenever I see a person who constantly posts negative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jazmin-garcia/the-one-thing-i-absolutely-hate-about-social-media-are-the-people-who/)

[Jazmin Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jazmin-garcia/)

> [My biggest advice would be to take the pictures you want to take. Don’t think about the marketplace, what sells or what an editor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lachapelle/my-biggest-advice-would-be-to-take-the-pictures-you-want-to-take-don/)

[David LaChapelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lachapelle/)

> [We're at a time when we are being presented with undeniable changes in the global climate and fundamental issues that affect every single one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-yorke/we-re-at-a-time-when-we-are-being-presented-with-undeniable-changes/)

[Thom Yorke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-yorke/)

> [“Someday you’re gonna go stupid for a woman. And when you do, do me this one favor: don’t get all caught up in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-halpern/someday-you-re-gonna-go-stupid-for-a-woman-and-when-you-do-do-me-this/)

[Justin Halpern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-halpern/)

> [How can I set free anyone who doesn't have the guts to stand up alone and declare his own freedom? I think it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/how-can-i-set-free-anyone-who-doesn-t-have-the-guts-to-stand-up-alone/)

[Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/)

> [“Please, boy. Let’s not start out with either of us insulting the other’s intelligence. There are only three people in life you can never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/please-boy-let-s-not-start-out-with-either-of-us-insulting-the-other/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [The idea of photography as evidence is pure bullshit. A photo is no more proof of any reality than what you may hear being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-riboud/the-idea-of-photography-as-evidence-is-pure-bullshit-a-photo-is-no/)

[Marc Riboud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-riboud/)

> [“(‘T) is all that separates I CAN’T from I CAN. Cut away the bullshit and live your life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-edward-lee-miller/t-is-all-that-separates-i-can-t-from-i-can-cut-away-the-bullshit-and/)

[Cody Edward Lee Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-edward-lee-miller/)

> [I wouldn't mind gigging around the same era as Jesus, after he gives his speech about the meek and how blessed they are and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jefferies/i-wouldn-t-mind-gigging-around-the-same-era-as-jesus-after-he-gives/)

[Jim Jefferies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jefferies/)

> [Alright, thats enough of this Kung-Fu bullshit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcclane/alright-thats-enough-of-this-kung-fu-bullshit/)

[John Mcclane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcclane/)

> [“To recognize bullshit, nose is better than ear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/to-recognize-bullshit-nose-is-better-than-ear/)

[Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/)

> [Loyal people always seem to go through the most bullshit!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/loyal-people-always-seem-to-go-through-the-most-bullshit/)

[Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/)

> [“I wasn't sure which was worse - to know you were a liar or to believe your own bullshit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eileen-cook/i-wasn-t-sure-which-was-worse-to-know-you-were-a-liar-or-to-believe/)

[Eileen Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eileen-cook/)

[Browse all 1,074 Bullshit quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bullshit/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "...I've stopped wanting to do any work at all. All work is bullshit. Everyone knows that. No matter how many telephones and extensions, no matter how many secretaries, no matter how many names in the rolodex. It's all bullshit.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Irena Klepfisz"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/i-ve-stopped-wanting-to-do-any-work-at-all-all-work-is-bullshit/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Bullshit"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/i-ve-stopped-wanting-to-do-any-work-at-all-all-work-is-bullshit/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f3/irena-klepfisz-34678_bullshit_i-ve-stopped-wanting-to-do-any-work-at-a_338611.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f3/irena-klepfisz-34678_bullshit_i-ve-stopped-wanting-to-do-any-work-at-a_338611.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f3/irena-klepfisz-34678_bullshit_i-ve-stopped-wanting-to-do-any-work-at-a_338611.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“...I've stopped wanting to do any work at all. All work is bullshit. Everyone knows that. No matter how many…” — Irena Klepfisz",
                "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": "Irena Klepfisz",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irena-klepfisz/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "...I've stopped wanting to do any...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/i-ve-stopped-wanting-to-do-any-work-at-all-all-work-is-bullshit/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irena-klepfisz/i-ve-stopped-wanting-to-do-any-work-at-all-all-work-is-bullshit/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
