Made Quote by J. G. Holland
“Work was made for man, and not man for work. Work is man's servant, both in its results to the worker and the world. Man is not work's servant, save as an almost universal perversion has made him such.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Philosophy of Work, J. G. Holland, 1975
Work should serve humanity, not dominate it; it is a tool that benefits both the worker and society.
In simple terms: Work is a servant, not a master.
Key Takeaway
Treat work as a means, not an end.
Themes
labor
human dignity
purpose
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career planning
- policy making
- personal fulfillment
- organizational design
Key Concepts
existentialism
ethical labor
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you ensure work supports your values?
- What structures keep work from becoming oppressive?
A Different Perspective
If work becomes an identity, it can erode personal freedom.
![“[The Dalai Lama] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could, and still things get worse in Tibet." If you look at it from one point of view, as he himself says, his monastic position of forbearance and nonviolence hasn't reaped any…” quote by Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fe/pico-iyer-1252_benefits_the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i_678.jpg)
