--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A man is what he does with his attention…" description: "\"A man is what he does with his attention and mine is not for sale.\" — John Ciardi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3d/john-ciardi-10262_attention_a-man-is-what-he-does-with-his-attention_569258.png" --- # A man is what he does with his attention and mine is not… ![“A man is what he does with his attention and mine is not for sale.” quote by John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3d/john-ciardi-10262_attention_a-man-is-what-he-does-with-his-attention_569258.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3d/john-ciardi-10262_attention_a-man-is-what-he-does-with-his-attention_569258.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3d/john-ciardi-10262_attention_a-man-is-what-he-does-with-his-attention_569258.png) > “A man is what he does with his attention and mine is not for sale.” [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A statement about focusing attention on meaningful pursuits, refusing to sell it. **In simple terms:** Focus on what matters, don’t compromise attention. Key Takeaway Guard your focus fiercely. Themes focus integrity value of attention Mood contemplative serene Type poem philosophical When to use this quote - workplace - creative projects - personal growth Key Concepts poetry philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What do you protect with your attention? - How can you avoid distractions? A Different Perspective May be abstract for some readers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Sale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sale/) ## Related quotes > [All fame ever does for you is get attention for the work you really want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-frid/all-fame-ever-does-for-you-is-get-attention-for-the-work-you-really/) [Jonathan Frid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-frid/) > [How come anything you buy will go on sale next week?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/how-come-anything-you-buy-will-go-on-sale-next-week/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [I always accepted the libertarian position of minimum regulation in the sale and use of firearms because I placed guns under the beneficial rubric…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shermer/i-always-accepted-the-libertarian-position-of-minimum-regulation-in/) [Michael Shermer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shermer/) > [I think when you get interested in antiques, the most frustrating thing is that books don't have enough photos. When you go to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-miller/i-think-when-you-get-interested-in-antiques-the-most-frustrating/) [Judith Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-miller/) > [I'm a sucker for a sale. I don't understand why anyone wants to pay full price for anything because everything goes on sale. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/busy-philipps/i-m-a-sucker-for-a-sale-i-don-t-understand-why-anyone-wants-to-pay/) [Busy Philipps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/busy-philipps/) > [Everything is now for sale. Even those areas of life that we once considered sacred like health and education, food and water and air…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maude-barlow/everything-is-now-for-sale-even-those-areas-of-life-that-we-once/) [Maude Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maude-barlow/) > [“But, learn that although all men are for sale, they don’t sell themselves to all buyers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shellabarger/but-learn-that-although-all-men-are-for-sale-they-don-t-sell/) [Samuel Shellabarger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shellabarger/) > [What happened was I saw this ad for a yogurt plant for sale. It was in my junk mail pile, and I threw it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamdi-ulukaya/what-happened-was-i-saw-this-ad-for-a-yogurt-plant-for-sale-it-was-in/) [Hamdi Ulukaya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamdi-ulukaya/) > [“The problem: If you've an antique for sale, then, sad to relate, the world isn't your oyster. It's not that easy. Even if somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-gash/the-problem-if-you-ve-an-antique-for-sale-then-sad-to-relate-the/) [Jonathan Gash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-gash/) > [I actually quite love following Lisa Rinna on Twitter, because she tweets like I tweet, which is like, 'Just dropped off the kids!' Or,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/i-actually-quite-love-following-lisa-rinna-on-twitter-because-she/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [I was long brought up to think that it was nothing short of a crime to miss a sale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cash-penney/i-was-long-brought-up-to-think-that-it-was-nothing-short-of-a-crime/) [James Cash Penney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cash-penney/) > [This is for sale!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew/this-is-for-sale/) [Andrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew/) > [We put suffocation warnings on all the - on every piece of plastic film manufactured in the United States or for sale with an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gever-tulley/we-put-suffocation-warnings-on-all-the-on-every-piece-of-plastic-film/) [Gever Tulley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gever-tulley/) > [We do live in an environment of crony capitalism, and the main reason we do is that loopholes are for sale, and both parties…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-johnson/we-do-live-in-an-environment-of-crony-capitalism-and-the-main-reason/) [Gary Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-johnson/) > [For sale: MY PARENTS - buy 1 get 1 FREE!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-sale-my-parents-buy-1-get-1-free/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by John Ciardi > [Tell me how much a nation knows about its own language, and I will tell you how much that nation knows about its own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/tell-me-how-much-a-nation-knows-about-its-own-language-and-i-will/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [Modern art is what happens when painters stop looking at girls and persuade themselves that they have a better idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/modern-art-is-what-happens-when-painters-stop-looking-at-girls-and/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [The day will happen whether or not you get up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/the-day-will-happen-whether-or-not-you-get-up/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [But when the pen is in his hand he has to write by itch and twitch, though certainly his itch and twitch are intimately…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/but-when-the-pen-is-in-his-hand-he-has-to-write-by-itch-and-twitch/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [Who could believe an ant in theory? A giraffe in blueprint? Ten thousand doctors of what's possible Could reason half the jungle out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/who-could-believe-an-ant-in-theory-a-giraffe-in-blueprint-ten/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [“There was a young lady from Gloucester Who complained that her parents both bossed her, So she ran off to Maine. Did her parents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/there-was-a-young-lady-from-gloucester-who-complained-that-her/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [One night I dreamed I was locked in my Father's watch With Ptolemy and twenty-one ruby stars Mounted on spheres and the Primum Mobile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/one-night-i-dreamed-i-was-locked-in-my-father-s-watch-with-ptolemy/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [Gentility is what is left over from rich ancestors after the money is gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/gentility-is-what-is-left-over-from-rich-ancestors-after-the-money-is/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [The classroom should be an entrance into the world, not an escape from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/the-classroom-should-be-an-entrance-into-the-world-not-an-escape-from/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [Boys are the cash of war. Whoever said: we're not free spenders- doesn't know our like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/boys-are-the-cash-of-war-whoever-said-we-re-not-free-spenders-doesn-t/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [“Hell is the denial of the ordinary...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/hell-is-the-denial-of-the-ordinary/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [General rules have been legislated into being by past masters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/general-rules-have-been-legislated-into-being-by-past-masters/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [Written by a sponge dipped in warm milk and sprinkled with sugar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/written-by-a-sponge-dipped-in-warm-milk-and-sprinkled-with-sugar/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [Love is the word used to label the sexual excitement of the young, the habituation of the middle-aged, and the mutual dependence of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/love-is-the-word-used-to-label-the-sexual-excitement-of-the-young-the/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [Fermentation and civilization are inseparable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/fermentation-and-civilization-are-inseparable/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) [Explore all 67 John Ciardi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) ## More Attention quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/let-us-thank-god-heartily-as-often-as-we-pray-that-we-have-his-spirit/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/we-must-have-a-welfare-system-that-we-can-afford-which-will-mean/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) [Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A man is what he does with his attention and mine is not for sale.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Ciardi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/a-man-is-what-he-does-with-his-attention-and-mine-is-not-for-sale/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attention" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/a-man-is-what-he-does-with-his-attention-and-mine-is-not-for-sale/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3d/john-ciardi-10262_attention_a-man-is-what-he-does-with-his-attention_569258.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3d/john-ciardi-10262_attention_a-man-is-what-he-does-with-his-attention_569258.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3d/john-ciardi-10262_attention_a-man-is-what-he-does-with-his-attention_569258.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A man is what he does with his attention and mine is not for sale.” — John Ciardi", "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": "John Ciardi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A man is what he does...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/a-man-is-what-he-does-with-his-attention-and-mine-is-not-for-sale/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/a-man-is-what-he-does-with-his-attention-and-mine-is-not-for-sale/#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 } } ] } ```