--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When men are rightly occupied, their…" description: "\"When men are rightly occupied, their amusement grows out of their work.\" — John Ruskin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec7/john-ruskin-314_amusement_when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amus_436598.jpg" --- # When men are rightly occupied, their amusement grows out… ![“When men are rightly occupied, their amusement grows out of their work.” quote by John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec7/john-ruskin-314_amusement_when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amus_436598.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec7/john-ruskin-314_amusement_when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amus_436598.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec7/john-ruskin-314_amusement_when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amus_436598.jpg) > “When men are rightly occupied, their amusement grows out of their work.” [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Work that is meaningful provides genuine amusement; leisure should stem from purposeful activity. **In simple terms:** Enjoyment comes from good work. Key Takeaway Find joy in purposeful labor. Themes work leisure fulfillment Mood contemplative inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career - craftsmanship - volunteering - creative projects Key Concepts industrialism humanism Questions to Reflect On - What work gives you true pleasure? - Can leisure be enjoyable without work? A Different Perspective Not all work yields amusement; boredom can persist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amusement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement/) [Amusement Grows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement-grows-3836651/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Grows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grows/) [Labor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labor/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Rightly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-rightly-3836653/) [Occupied Amusement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occupied-amusement-3836652/) [Rightly Occupied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rightly-occupied-3836654/) [Work effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-effort/) ## Related quotes > [Human beings are of two classes: those whose work is work and whose pleasure is pleasure; and those whose work and pleasure are one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/human-beings-are-of-two-classes-those-whose-work-is-work-and-whose/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [The bitter and the sweet come from the outside, the hard from within, from one's own efforts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-bitter-and-the-sweet-come-from-the-outside-the-hard-from-within/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The hand of little employment hath the daintier sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/the-hand-of-little-employment-hath-the-daintier-sense/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [It's definitely not an overnight success. There has been a lot of work, effort and concentration to get where I am now. I've gone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-calvert-lewin/it-s-definitely-not-an-overnight-success-there-has-been-a-lot-of-work/) [Dominic Calvert-Lewin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-calvert-lewin/) > [We put our love where we have put our labor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/we-put-our-love-where-we-have-put-our-labor/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [There is no reward so delightful, no pleasure so exquisite, as having one's work known and acclaimed by those whose applause confers honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/there-is-no-reward-so-delightful-no-pleasure-so-exquisite-as-having/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [Kids take work, effort, love, blood, sweat and tears and are a full time job. You have to commit, for better or worse and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-archer/kids-take-work-effort-love-blood-sweat-and-tears-and-are-a-full-time/) [Dale Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-archer/) > [“48 percent intentionally decreased their work effort, • 47 percent intentionally decreased the time spent at work, • 38 percent intentionally decreased the quality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-porath/48-percent-intentionally-decreased-their-work-effort-47-percent/) [Christine Porath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-porath/) > [Mental development is a by-product of hard work and effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-kest/mental-development-is-a-by-product-of-hard-work-and-effort/) [Bryan Kest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-kest/) > [To put a lot of hard work and effort into a project or character and for it to be recognised, how can it not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-put-a-lot-of-hard-work-and-effort-into-a-project-or-character-and/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [Too much expectations lead to depression when one fails. In all you endeavours its not like everyone wants you to be successful, especially those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-matobo/too-much-expectations-lead-to-depression-when-one-fails-in-all-you/) [Frank Matobo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-matobo/) > [I tell my players this - I can go out there and get conditioned if I just go out there and run every day.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-flores/i-tell-my-players-this-i-can-go-out-there-and-get-conditioned-if-i/) [Brian Flores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-flores/) > [Labor Day symbolizes our determination to achieve an economic freedom for the average man which will give his political freedom realty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/labor-day-symbolizes-our-determination-to-achieve-an-economic-freedom/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Our minds need relaxation, and give way unless we mix with work a little play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/our-minds-need-relaxation-and-give-way-unless-we-mix-with-work-a/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) ## More by John Ruskin > [“Occult Theft,--Theft which hides itself even from itself, and is legal, respectable, and cowardly,--corrupts the body and soul of man, to the last fibre…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/occult-theft-theft-which-hides-itself-even-from-itself-and-is-legal/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Mighty of heart, mighty of mind, magnanimous-to be this is indeed to be great in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/mighty-of-heart-mighty-of-mind-magnanimous-to-be-this-is-indeed-to-be/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Life is a magic vase filled to the brim, so made that you cannot dip from it nor draw from it; but it overflows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/life-is-a-magic-vase-filled-to-the-brim-so-made-that-you-cannot-dip/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [As in the instances of alchemy, astrology, witchcraft, and other such popular creeds, political economy, has a plausible idea at the root of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/as-in-the-instances-of-alchemy-astrology-witchcraft-and-other-such/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [I am far more provoked at being thought foolish by foolish people, than pleased at being thought sensible by sensible people; and the average…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/i-am-far-more-provoked-at-being-thought-foolish-by-foolish-people/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [When we build ... let it not be for present delights nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/when-we-build-let-it-not-be-for-present-delights-nor-for-present-use/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [It is far more difficult to be simple than to be complicated; far more difficult to sacrifice skill and easy execution in the proper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-is-far-more-difficult-to-be-simple-than-to-be-complicated-far-more/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [It is a good and safe rule to sojourn in every place as if you meant to spend your life there, never omitting an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-is-a-good-and-safe-rule-to-sojourn-in-every-place-as-if-you-meant/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [“You may trust to the truth of my sympathy; but you must remember that I am engaged in the investigation of enormous religious and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/you-may-trust-to-the-truth-of-my-sympathy-but-you-must-remember-that/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [And remember, child, that nothing is ever done beautifully, which is done in rivalship; or nobly, which is done in pride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/and-remember-child-that-nothing-is-ever-done-beautifully-which-is/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-s-unwise-to-pay-too-much-but-it-s-worse-to-pay-too-little/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [The world is full of vulgar Purists, who bring discredit on all selection by the silliness of their choice; and this the more, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-world-is-full-of-vulgar-purists-who-bring-discredit-on-all/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Like other beautiful things in this world, its end (that of a shaft) is to be beautiful; and, in proportion to its beauty, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/like-other-beautiful-things-in-this-world-its-end-that-of-a-shaft-is/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [All are to be men of genius in their degree,--rivulets or rivers, it does not matter, so that the souls be clear and pure;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/all-are-to-be-men-of-genius-in-their-degree-rivulets-or-rivers-it/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [The art of drawing which is of more real importance to the human race than that of writing...should be taught to every child just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-art-of-drawing-which-is-of-more-real-importance-to-the-human-race/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) [Explore all 696 John Ruskin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) ## More Amusement quotes > [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Ancient eyes had stared at me, filled with ancient grief. And something more. Something so alien and unexpected that I'd almost burst into tears.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/ancient-eyes-had-stared-at-me-filled-with-ancient-grief-and-something/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Every producer in Hollywood had set me down as a type. I was both amused and disappointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bela-lugosi/every-producer-in-hollywood-had-set-me-down-as-a-type-i-was-both/) [Bela Lugosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bela-lugosi/) > [By amusing myself with all these games, all this nonsense, all these picture puzzles, I became famous... I am only a public entertainer who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/by-amusing-myself-with-all-these-games-all-this-nonsense-all-these/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [I just started writing for my own amusement and occasionally singing in little clubs around Los Angeles. Then I wrote 'The Rose,' and through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-mcbroom/i-just-started-writing-for-my-own-amusement-and-occasionally-singing/) [Amanda McBroom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-mcbroom/) > [Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/happiness-does-not-consist-in-pastimes-and-amusements-but-in-virtuous/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-mass-of-men-lead-lives-of-quiet-desperation-what-is-called/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Ordinary people simply don't know what books mean to us, shut up here. Reading, learning, and the radio are our amusements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/ordinary-people-simply-don-t-know-what-books-mean-to-us-shut-up-here/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [My first job was at an amusement park in Virginia. It was the worst. I loved the park but once I'd worked there all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-mcbride/my-first-job-was-at-an-amusement-park-in-virginia-it-was-the-worst-i/) [Danny McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-mcbride/) > [The Stoics say, "Retire within yourselves; it is there you will find your rest." And that is not true. Others say, "Go out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-stoics-say-retire-within-yourselves-it-is-there-you-will-find/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [I realized, "Gee, you're making the same film over and over here." I just kept making them for my own amusement, but also with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jarmusch/i-realized-gee-you-re-making-the-same-film-over-and-over-here-i-just/) [Jim Jarmusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jarmusch/) > [I like these boots," I told Vayl. "Do you think they'd sell them to me cheap? I keep ruining mine." "Since when do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rardin/i-like-these-boots-i-told-vayl-do-you-think-they-d-sell-them-to-me/) [Jennifer Rardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rardin/) > [It has to be now,” he insisted, a flick of amusement in his voice. He nudged his burgeoning loins against her. “After all, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/it-has-to-be-now-he-insisted-a-flick-of-amusement-in-his-voice-he/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [Act as if the universe is a prodigious miracle created for your amusement and illumination. Assume that secret helpers are working behind the scenes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-brezsny/act-as-if-the-universe-is-a-prodigious-miracle-created-for-your/) [Rob Brezsny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-brezsny/) > [Amusement that is excessive and followed only for its own sake, allures and deceives us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/amusement-that-is-excessive-and-followed-only-for-its-own-sake/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) [Browse all 567 Amusement quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When men are rightly occupied, their amusement grows out of their work.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Ruskin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amusement-grows-out-of-their-work/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Amusement" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amusement-grows-out-of-their-work/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec7/john-ruskin-314_amusement_when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amus_436598.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec7/john-ruskin-314_amusement_when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amus_436598.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec7/john-ruskin-314_amusement_when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amus_436598.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When men are rightly occupied, their amusement grows out of their work.” — John Ruskin", "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 Ruskin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When men are rightly occupied, their...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amusement-grows-out-of-their-work/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amusement-grows-out-of-their-work/#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 } } ] } ```