--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have lost the old love of work, of…" description: "\"We have lost the old love of work, of work which kept itself company, which was fair weather and music in the heart, which found its reward in the doin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/john-lancaster-spalding-3115_business_we-have-lost-the-old-love-of-work-of-wor_1792374.png" --- # We have lost the old love of work, of work which kept… ![“We have lost the old love of work, of work which kept itself company, which was fair weather and music in the heart, which found its reward in the doing, craving neither the flattery of vulgar eyes nor the gold of vulgar men.” quote by John Lancaster Spalding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/john-lancaster-spalding-3115_business_we-have-lost-the-old-love-of-work-of-wor_1792374.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/john-lancaster-spalding-3115_business_we-have-lost-the-old-love-of-work-of-wor_1792374.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/john-lancaster-spalding-3115_business_we-have-lost-the-old-love-of-work-of-wor_1792374.png) > “We have lost the old love of work, of work which kept itself company, which was fair weather and music in the heart, which found its reward in the doing, craving neither the flattery of vulgar eyes nor the gold of vulgar men.” [John Lancaster Spalding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lancaster-spalding/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote laments modern work’s loss of intrinsic joy, describing work as a fair‑weather companion that rewards the act itself, not external praise or wealth. **In simple terms:** Work used to be its own reward, not for fame or money. Key Takeaway Seek purpose in the work itself. Themes purpose intrinsic motivation authenticity fulfillment work ethic Mood reflective nostalgic inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career satisfaction - creative projects - volunteer work - craftsmanship - personal development Key Concepts existentialism humanism psychology Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of your work bring you inner satisfaction? - How can you reclaim joy in daily tasks? A Different Perspective Modern pressures of profit and status can eclipse this ideal. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Fair weather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fair-weather/) [Flattery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flattery/) [Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gold/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Old love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-love/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Vulgar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vulgar/) [Weather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weather/) ## Related quotes > [Gladys.. work has kept you fit And Bill.. you never moan Well life's not for carrying cases With a butler of your own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-walter-bratton/gladys-work-has-kept-you-fit-and-bill-you-never-moan-well-life-s-not/) [John Walter Bratton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-walter-bratton/) > [Luckily work kept coming, so I kept working.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjay-mishra/luckily-work-kept-coming-so-i-kept-working/) [Sanjay Mishra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjay-mishra/) > [Kindness steers no easy course. 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