--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Work was always necessary to survive…" description: "\"Work was always necessary to survive. Then I decided the goal should be to survive without working. But now I have much more work than I had before. Hu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e56/maurizio-cattelan-11080_freedom_work-was-always-necessary-to-survive-the_411359.jpg" --- # Work was always necessary to survive. Then I decided the… ![“Work was always necessary to survive. Then I decided the goal should be to survive without working. But now I have much more work than I had before. Hunting for freedom, I've found the real prison. but at least it's a prison I've chosen for myself.” quote by Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e56/maurizio-cattelan-11080_freedom_work-was-always-necessary-to-survive-the_411359.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e56/maurizio-cattelan-11080_freedom_work-was-always-necessary-to-survive-the_411359.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e56/maurizio-cattelan-11080_freedom_work-was-always-necessary-to-survive-the_411359.jpg) > “Work was always necessary to survive. Then I decided the goal should be to survive without working. But now I have much more work than I had before. Hunting for freedom, I've found the real prison. but at least it's a prison I've chosen for myself.” [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The pursuit of freedom through avoiding work leads to more work, revealing paradoxical self‑imposed imprisonment **In simple terms:** Trying to avoid work creates more work, becoming a self‑chosen prison Key Takeaway Beware of paradoxes that turn freedom into constraint Themes freedom work paradox self‑imposition Mood reflective critical Type philosophical contemplative When to use this quote - career planning - personal productivity - life philosophy Key Concepts existential critique labor theory Questions to Reflect On - What does “freedom” truly mean to you? - How can you balance work and liberty? A Different Perspective Freedom can become a trap if not balanced ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Prison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prison/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [Capitalism cannot survive without a working class, while the working class can flourish a lot more freely without capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/capitalism-cannot-survive-without-a-working-class-while-the-working/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) > [“Love for ballet is necessary to survive it,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-for-ballet-is-necessary-to-survive-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Alternating periods of activity and rest is necessary to survive, let alone thrive. Capacity, interest, and mental endurance all wax and wane. Plan accordingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/alternating-periods-of-activity-and-rest-is-necessary-to-survive-let/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In science it is not enough to think of an important problem on which to work. It is also necessary to know the means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-szilard/in-science-it-is-not-enough-to-think-of-an-important-problem-on-which/) [Leo Szilard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-szilard/) > [Work is a necessary evil to be avoided.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/work-is-a-necessary-evil-to-be-avoided/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Work is necessary; it can be nothing less than a passion; a person is happy in accomplishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/work-is-necessary-it-can-be-nothing-less-than-a-passion-a-person-is/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [“Deep work is necessary to wring every last drop of value out of your”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/deep-work-is-necessary-to-wring-every-last-drop-of-value-out-of-your/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Everyone wants to be strong and self sufficient, but few are willing to put in the work necessary to achieve worthy goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/everyone-wants-to-be-strong-and-self-sufficient-but-few-are-willing/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“But is work something we have a right to escape? And can we escape it with impunity? We are probably the first entire people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/but-is-work-something-we-have-a-right-to-escape-and-can-we-escape-it/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [ \[All the ancient wisdom\] tells us that work is necessary to us, as much a part of our condition as mortality; that good work… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/all-the-ancient-wisdom-tells-us-that-work-is-necessary-to-us-as-much/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [I saw what it means to work every weekend and every night, and I realized it doesn't work for me. It's not necessary. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italo-zucchelli/i-saw-what-it-means-to-work-every-weekend-and-every-night-and-i/) [Italo Zucchelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italo-zucchelli/) > [All work which is necessary ennobles him who performs it. Only one thing is shameful - to contribute nothing to the community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/all-work-which-is-necessary-ennobles-him-who-performs-it-only-one/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [I did it as first lady, I did it as a senator, I did it as secretary of state, and I know how hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-did-it-as-first-lady-i-did-it-as-a-senator-i-did-it-as-secretary-of/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [“There’s a common misconception that work is necessary. You will meet people working at miserable jobs. They tell you they are “making a living”.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-tan/there-s-a-common-misconception-that-work-is-necessary-you-will-meet/) [Adrian Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-tan/) > [If a man does not work at necessary and good things, then he will work at unnecessary and stupid things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/if-a-man-does-not-work-at-necessary-and-good-things-then-he-will-work/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) ## More by Maurizio Cattelan > [I am fascinated by the idea of employing beautiful images as a device to convey something extremely disturbing in an apparently harmless way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/i-am-fascinated-by-the-idea-of-employing-beautiful-images-as-a-device/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [The market is like a machine that needs to be constantly excited. It needs to constantly produce wealth and more excitement. There are some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/the-market-is-like-a-machine-that-needs-to-be-constantly-excited-it/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [Money is a bad friend. Don't ever do anything for money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/money-is-a-bad-friend-don-t-ever-do-anything-for-money/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [Part of the blame can be put at the artists' door, too - no question. But I see our involvement more as a consequence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/part-of-the-blame-can-be-put-at-the-artists-door-too-no-question-but/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [I would describe myself as a tallish, shy, middle-aged man who equally loves his work and his freedom. And a good liar!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/i-would-describe-myself-as-a-tallish-shy-middle-aged-man-who-equally/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [I produce so little that the works have to be editioned. Otherwise, I don't survive. Also, editioning is relevant for communication. If you make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/i-produce-so-little-that-the-works-have-to-be-editioned-otherwise-i/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [The best art is on the street.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/the-best-art-is-on-the-street/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [Damien Hirst knows how to drive super-fast cars... I love my bicycle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/damien-hirst-knows-how-to-drive-super-fast-cars-i-love-my-bicycle/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [My aim is to be as open and as incomprehensible as possible. There has to be a perfect balance between open and shut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/my-aim-is-to-be-as-open-and-as-incomprehensible-as-possible-there-has/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [I'm not saying the 1970s was a golden age - I don't believe such a thing exists in art . . . It would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/i-m-not-saying-the-1970s-was-a-golden-age-i-don-t-believe-such-a/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [If you are searching to figure out what is true and what is not, you will have a sad life. It means you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/if-you-are-searching-to-figure-out-what-is-true-and-what-is-not-you/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [Every morning, we choose between milk or tea or coffee. Usually, I know what I like, but I don't rule out changing my idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/every-morning-we-choose-between-milk-or-tea-or-coffee-usually-i-know/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [I like to produce work for specific places, and it is difficult to do repeat shows in the same space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/i-like-to-produce-work-for-specific-places-and-it-is-difficult-to-do/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [Based on my experience, it's considerably difficult to force a donkey into doing something it perceives to be dangerous for whatever reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/based-on-my-experience-it-s-considerably-difficult-to-force-a-donkey/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [Gianni Agnelli was a sharp mind, and most of his interviews carried meanings between the lines that only now are fully readable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/gianni-agnelli-was-a-sharp-mind-and-most-of-his-interviews-carried/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) [Explore all 62 Maurizio Cattelan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) ## More Freedom quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If we gave up our freedom as the price of security, we would no longer be the great nation that we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-we-gave-up-our-freedom-as-the-price-of-security-we-would-no-longer/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [We live in the greatest country in the world because of the veterans who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom and the security…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-husted/we-live-in-the-greatest-country-in-the-world-because-of-the-veterans/) [Jon Husted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-husted/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“No one was more surprised than I to realize that my newfound freedom had been purchased by giving up on eternity and settling for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-jessop/no-one-was-more-surprised-than-i-to-realize-that-my-newfound-freedom/) [Carolyn Jessop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-jessop/) > [“In a world of fixed future, there can be no right or wrong. Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“In any case, white people, who had robbed black people of their liberty and who profited by this theft every hour that they lived,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/in-any-case-white-people-who-had-robbed-black-people-of-their-liberty/) [James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [“It breaks my heart. Better than your words, your eye tells me all your peril. You are not yet free, you still search for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-breaks-my-heart-better-than-your-words-your-eye-tells-me-all-your/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [I don't want to be famous famous. I'm happy on the second tier, where I have autonomy on a professional level but I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-reece/i-don-t-want-to-be-famous-famous-i-m-happy-on-the-second-tier-where-i/) [Gabrielle Reece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-reece/) [Browse all 30,110 Freedom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Work was always necessary to survive. Then I decided the goal should be to survive without working. But now I have much more work than I had before. 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