--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Work is the only good thing." description: "\"“Work is the only good thing.”\" — John Steinbeck" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/706/john-steinbeck-71_good_work-is-the-only-good-thing-2472898_2472898.jpg" --- # Work is the only good thing. ![“Work is the only good thing.” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/706/john-steinbeck-71_good_work-is-the-only-good-thing-2472898_2472898.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/706/john-steinbeck-71_good_work-is-the-only-good-thing-2472898_2472898.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/706/john-steinbeck-71_good_work-is-the-only-good-thing-2472898_2472898.jpg) > ““Work is the only good thing.”” [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Work provides purpose and dignity, standing as the sole positive force in a harsh world. **In simple terms:** Work is the only good thing. Key Takeaway Value work as a source of meaning. Themes labor purpose dignity Mood determined hopeful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - employment search - volunteering - skill development - economic hardship Key Concepts existentialism social critique Questions to Reflect On - How does work shape your identity? - Can purpose be found outside of work? A Different Perspective Work alone may not guarantee happiness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Good thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-thing/) [Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-good/) ## Related quotes > [I was just confident my work was good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bunny-yeager/i-was-just-confident-my-work-was-good/) [Bunny Yeager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bunny-yeager/) > [Life is all about experiences and being able to work with good people is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhumika-chawla/life-is-all-about-experiences-and-being-able-to-work-with-good-people/) [Bhumika Chawla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhumika-chawla/) > [Knowledge is generally considered a good thing; so, presumably, knowing more about how the U.S. thinks and operates around the world is also good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/knowledge-is-generally-considered-a-good-thing-so-presumably-knowing/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [Being authentic can be a good thing in that often people who are fixated on that are also fixated on having very high standards,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-meyer/being-authentic-can-be-a-good-thing-in-that-often-people-who-are/) [Edgar Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-meyer/) > [“do your work with a good will, lift your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even in play.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-sewell/do-your-work-with-a-good-will-lift-your-feet-up-well-when-you-trot/) [Anna Sewell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-sewell/) > [In truth, making films doesn't feel like hard work because I always have such a good time doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-slater/in-truth-making-films-doesn-t-feel-like-hard-work-because-i-always/) [Christian Slater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-slater/) > [Whether you're doing Shakespeare or Disney, good work is good work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-tucker/whether-you-re-doing-shakespeare-or-disney-good-work-is-good-work/) [Jonathan Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-tucker/) > [I haven't had a worst business decision, because I believe all things work together for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-perry/i-haven-t-had-a-worst-business-decision-because-i-believe-all-things/) [Tyler Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-perry/) > [Work is good when people are responsible, and in low-budget movies a lot of the actors don't want to be there. They're there to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-young/work-is-good-when-people-are-responsible-and-in-low-budget-movies-a/) [Sean Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-young/) > [I want to be known for good work first. A good story and good delivery is just that - period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-alexander/i-want-to-be-known-for-good-work-first-a-good-story-and-good-delivery/) [Megan Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-alexander/) > [I want to work with good people and good directors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aditi-rao-hydari/i-want-to-work-with-good-people-and-good-directors/) [Aditi Rao Hydari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aditi-rao-hydari/) > [Going to the golf course every day for work? That's a good job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-quaid/going-to-the-golf-course-every-day-for-work-that-s-a-good-job/) [Dennis Quaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-quaid/) > [I'm certainly much happier when I feel that the work is good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/june-diane-raphael/i-m-certainly-much-happier-when-i-feel-that-the-work-is-good/) [June Diane Raphael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/june-diane-raphael/) > [You want to work with good people. When you're working with good people, it frees you up. There's nothing worse, as an actor, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-badge-dale/you-want-to-work-with-good-people-when-you-re-working-with-good/) [James Badge Dale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-badge-dale/) > [To me, it's about good work, a good story, and tastefully done. There's so many stigmas - oh, you're on the small screen or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keshia-knight-pulliam/to-me-it-s-about-good-work-a-good-story-and-tastefully-done-there-s/) [Keshia Knight Pulliam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keshia-knight-pulliam/) ## More by John Steinbeck > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Prayer never brought in no side-meat. Takes a shoat to bring in pork.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/prayer-never-brought-in-no-side-meat-takes-a-shoat-to-bring-in-pork/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“And now submarines are armed with mass murder, our silly, only way of deterring mass murder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/and-now-submarines-are-armed-with-mass-murder-our-silly-only-way-of/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“I’d think there are degrees of greatness,” Adam said. “I don’t think so,” said Samuel. “That would be like saying there is a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-d-think-there-are-degrees-of-greatness-adam-said-i-don-t-think-so/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“He was forever inventing a new way of doing an old thing and doing it better and quicker, but he never in his whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/he-was-forever-inventing-a-new-way-of-doing-an-old-thing-and-doing-it/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“You come back a changed man. Samuel, you don’t change him. He changes you. I can see the look of him in your face.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/you-come-back-a-changed-man-samuel-you-don-t-change-him-he-changes/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I find out of long experience that I admire all nations and hate all governments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-find-out-of-long-experience-that-i-admire-all-nations-and-hate-all/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [At about 10 o'clock in the morning the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one of the side windows and in and out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/at-about-10-o-clock-in-the-morning-the-sun-threw-a-bright-dust-laden/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I have noticed that there is no dissatisfaction like that of the rich. Feed a man, clothe him, put him in a good house,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-have-noticed-that-there-is-no-dissatisfaction-like-that-of-the-rich/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Who in his mind has not probe the dark water?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/who-in-his-mind-has-not-probe-the-dark-water/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Sometimes, a lie is told in kindness. I don't believe it ever works kindly. The quick pain of truth can pass away, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/sometimes-a-lie-is-told-in-kindness-i-don-t-believe-it-ever-works/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [People like you to be something, preferably what they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/people-like-you-to-be-something-preferably-what-they-are/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Suddenly he knew joy and sorrow felted into one fabric. Courage and fear were one thing too. He found that he had started to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/suddenly-he-knew-joy-and-sorrow-felted-into-one-fabric-courage-and/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I am writing this from what we Americans call Yurrp. In Yurrp writers are taken as seriously as Lana Turner's legs are in America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-am-writing-this-from-what-we-americans-call-yurrp-in-yurrp-writers/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I write because I like to write. I find joy in the texture and tone and rhythm of words. It is a satisfaction like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-write-because-i-like-to-write-i-find-joy-in-the-texture-and-tone/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) [Explore all 1,589 John Steinbeck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## More Good quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [Today I didn't even have to even use my A.K ! I got to say it was a good day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-cube/today-i-didn-t-even-have-to-even-use-my-a-k-i-got-to-say-it-was-a/) [Ice Cube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-cube/) > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [If you want to edit your photos and make yourself look different, go for it. That is up to you, but in my opinion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peyton-list/if-you-want-to-edit-your-photos-and-make-yourself-look-different-go/) [Peyton List](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peyton-list/) > [I met Rajini sir after 'Jigarthanda,' and he said he liked my film. He told me I could approach him whenever I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karthik-subbaraj/i-met-rajini-sir-after-jigarthanda-and-he-said-he-liked-my-film-he/) [Karthik Subbaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karthik-subbaraj/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [Sometimes I'm in a bad mood, sometimes I'm in a good mood. It's like everyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricky/sometimes-i-m-in-a-bad-mood-sometimes-i-m-in-a-good-mood-it-s-like/) [Tricky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricky/) > [Eric Clapton's scales - when he comes off a high note and it's time for a refrain or a little bit of a rest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-rea/eric-clapton-s-scales-when-he-comes-off-a-high-note-and-it-s-time-for/) [Chris Rea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-rea/) > [I studied all kinds of dance, all types of music. I got good grades. I started hitting the recording studio around 13.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-derulo/i-studied-all-kinds-of-dance-all-types-of-music-i-got-good-grades-i/) [Jason Derulo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-derulo/) > [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. I'm still very shy. Music opened up doors. I would get to my choir class,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/everybody-has-their-cliques-and-i-was-very-shy-i-m-still-very-shy/) [Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/) > [My only close-to-game-plan is to follow good writing. If the writing is in TV or if it's in theater or in film, that's it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-driver/my-only-close-to-game-plan-is-to-follow-good-writing-if-the-writing/) [Adam Driver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-driver/) > [The Derby experience had not been good for me and the way it finished left a very bad taste in my mouth so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-pearson/the-derby-experience-had-not-been-good-for-me-and-the-way-it-finished/) [Nigel Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-pearson/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) [Browse all 40,882 Good quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Work is the only good thing.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Steinbeck" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/work-is-the-only-good-thing/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Good" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/work-is-the-only-good-thing/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/706/john-steinbeck-71_good_work-is-the-only-good-thing-2472898_2472898.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/706/john-steinbeck-71_good_work-is-the-only-good-thing-2472898_2472898.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/706/john-steinbeck-71_good_work-is-the-only-good-thing-2472898_2472898.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Work is the only good thing.” — John Steinbeck", "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 Steinbeck", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Work is the only good thing.”", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/work-is-the-only-good-thing/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/work-is-the-only-good-thing/#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 } } ] } ```