--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: leagues, till we were able to work no…" description: "\"“leagues, till we were able to work no longer, being already spent with labour while we were in the ship. ”\" — Jonathan Swift" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a42/jonathan-swift-433_labour_leagues-till-we-were-able-to-work-no-lon_2439576.jpg" --- # leagues, till we were able to work no longer, being… ![“leagues, till we were able to work no longer, being already spent with labour while we were in the ship.” quote by Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a42/jonathan-swift-433_labour_leagues-till-we-were-able-to-work-no-lon_2439576.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a42/jonathan-swift-433_labour_leagues-till-we-were-able-to-work-no-lon_2439576.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a42/jonathan-swift-433_labour_leagues-till-we-were-able-to-work-no-lon_2439576.jpg) > ““leagues, till we were able to work no longer, being already spent with labour while we were in the ship. ”” [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Exhaustion from relentless work leads to inability to continue, highlighting the cost of overwork. **In simple terms:** Overwork makes you unable to work further. Key Takeaway Balance effort with rest. Themes work exhaustion balance Mood tired reflective Type cautionary observational When to use this quote - Maritime labor - long voyages - crew fatigue - industrial era Key Concepts Human limits sustainability Questions to Reflect On - How can societies prevent worker burnout? - What policies protect laborers? A Different Perspective Even short rest can be insufficient without systemic change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Able Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able-work/) [Labour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labour/) [Labour Ship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labour-ship-476205/) [Leagues Till](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leagues-till-476207/) [Spent Labour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spent-labour-476206/) ## Related quotes > [Making a cartoon occupied usually about three full days, two spent in labour and one in removing the appearance of labour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-low/making-a-cartoon-occupied-usually-about-three-full-days-two-spent-in/) [David Low](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-low/) > [We want to encourage those who are able to work, no question.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-schroder/we-want-to-encourage-those-who-are-able-to-work-no-question/) [Gerhard Schroder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-schroder/) > [I've always been able to work. 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Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [Everyone in this country should be able to work one job and be able to raise a family on, not have to work two,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marty-walsh/everyone-in-this-country-should-be-able-to-work-one-job-and-be-able/) [Marty Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marty-walsh/) > [I think we should be able to work until we want to stop, which is what I'm going to have to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-fox/i-think-we-should-be-able-to-work-until-we-want-to-stop-which-is-what/) [Laurence Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-fox/) > [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/) ## More by Jonathan Swift > [Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/time-is-painted-with-a-lock-before-and-bald-behind-signifying-thereby/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [“He said, he knew no reason why those who entertain opinions prejudicial to the public should be obliged to change, or should not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/he-said-he-knew-no-reason-why-those-who-entertain-opinions/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [I with borrow'd silver shine, What you see is none of mine. 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