---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whether we are orderlies or orchestra…"
description: "\"“Whether we are orderlies or orchestra conductors, either we befriend our work-- seeing in it the opportunity for moral excellence and a continual outp..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c41/paul-wilkes-43175_moral-excellence_whether-we-are-orderlies-or-orchestra-co_2692104.jpg"
---

#  Whether we are orderlies or orchestra conductors, either…

![“Whether we are orderlies or orchestra conductors, either we befriend our work-- seeing in it the opportunity for moral excellence and a continual outpouring of heavenly grace-- or we become its victim.” quote by Paul Wilkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c41/paul-wilkes-43175_moral-excellence_whether-we-are-orderlies-or-orchestra-co_2692104.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c41/paul-wilkes-43175_moral-excellence_whether-we-are-orderlies-or-orchestra-co_2692104.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c41/paul-wilkes-43175_moral-excellence_whether-we-are-orderlies-or-orchestra-co_2692104.jpg)

> ““Whether we are orderlies or orchestra conductors, either we befriend our work-- seeing in it the opportunity for moral excellence and a continual outpouring of heavenly grace-- or we become its victim.””

[Paul Wilkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wilkes/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

We can either treat work as a path to moral growth and grace, or let it dominate us negatively.

**In simple terms:** Choose work as a moral opportunity.

Key Takeaway

Approach work with integrity and purpose.

Themes

ethics work growth grace

Mood

motivational thoughtful

Type

inspirational practical

When to use this quote

- career planning
- team leadership
- personal development
- stress management

Key Concepts

moral philosophy mindfulness purpose-driven

Questions to Reflect On

- What habits foster ethical work behavior?
- How does mindset affect work outcomes?

A Different Perspective

Work pressures can erode moral focus.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Moral excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-excellence/)

## Related quotes

> [“0 true and heavenly grace, without which our own merits are nothing, and our natural gifts of no account! Neither arts nor riches, beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/0-true-and-heavenly-grace-without-which-our-own-merits-are-nothing/)

[Thomas à Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/)

> [“Aye me, how many perils do enfold The righteous man, to make him daily fall? Were not, that heavenly grace doth him uphold, And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/aye-me-how-many-perils-do-enfold-the-righteous-man-to-make-him-daily/)

[Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/)

> [“We have a social responsibility, a constitutional opportunity and a moral obligation to help others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janie-lewis/we-have-a-social-responsibility-a-constitutional-opportunity-and-a/)

Janie Lewis

> [As believers we all have an opportunity and moral obligation to recognize our spiritual common ground; to rise above our differences; to combat prejudice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/queen-noor-of-jordan/as-believers-we-all-have-an-opportunity-and-moral-obligation-to/)

[Queen Noor of Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/queen-noor-of-jordan/)

> [Of cases where a man is truthful both in speech and conduct when no considerations of honesty come in, from an habitual sincerity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/of-cases-where-a-man-is-truthful-both-in-speech-and-conduct-when-no/)

[Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/)

> [Honor is truly sacred, but holds a lower rank in the scale of moral excellence than virtue. Indeed the former is part of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/honor-is-truly-sacred-but-holds-a-lower-rank-in-the-scale-of-moral/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [He who governs by his moral excellence may be compared to the Pole star which abides in its place while all other stars bow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/proverb/he-who-governs-by-his-moral-excellence-may-be-compared-to-the-pole/)

Proverb

> [ The virtues \[moral excellence\] therefore are engendered in us neither by nature nor yet in violation of nature; nature gives us the capacity to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-virtues-moral-excellence-therefore-are-engendered-in-us-neither/)

[Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/)

> [The desire of excellence is the necessary attribute of those who excel. We work little for a thing unless we wish for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/the-desire-of-excellence-is-the-necessary-attribute-of-those-who-2/)

[Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/)

> [“Moral excellence does not consist in aggregating pleasures and pains but in aligning them, so that we delight in noble things and take pain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sandel/moral-excellence-does-not-consist-in-aggregating-pleasures-and-pains/)

[Michael J. Sandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sandel/)

> [Pope has elegantly said a perfect woman's but a softer man. And if we take in the consideration, that there can be but one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catharine-macaulay/pope-has-elegantly-said-a-perfect-woman-s-but-a-softer-man-and-if-we/)

Catharine Macaulay

> [The desire of excellence is the necessary attribute of those who excel. We work little for a thing unless we wish for it. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/the-desire-of-excellence-is-the-necessary-attribute-of-those-who/)

[Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/)

> [In seasons of tumult and discord bad men have most power; mental and moral excellence require peace and quietness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/in-seasons-of-tumult-and-discord-bad-men-have-most-power-mental-and/)

[Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/)

> [I think I would rather live on the verge of falling and let my security be in the all-sufficiency of the grace of God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-think-i-would-rather-live-on-the-verge-of-falling-and-let-my/)

[Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/)

> [Moral excellence has no regard to classes and professions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-martineau/moral-excellence-has-no-regard-to-classes-and-professions/)

[Harriet Martineau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-martineau/)

## More by Paul Wilkes

> [“... stability prevents daydreaming about 'what if...' and inserts us totally into what we are doing, causing us to live with a new intensity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wilkes/stability-prevents-daydreaming-about-what-if-and-inserts-us-totally/)

[Paul Wilkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wilkes/)

> [“(...) discernment asks that we constantly be open, both to God's gentle nudges and to the many opportunities for grace that are constantly being presented.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wilkes/discernment-asks-that-we-constantly-be-open-both-to-god-s-gentle/)

[Paul Wilkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wilkes/)

> [“Monasticism is not about dogma; it is about God and an authentic spirituality. Its simple truths beckon to be rediscovered.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wilkes/monasticism-is-not-about-dogma-it-is-about-god-and-an-authentic/)

[Paul Wilkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wilkes/)

> [“Prayer at once embraces our world and yet constantly measures and weighs it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wilkes/prayer-at-once-embraces-our-world-and-yet-constantly-measures-and/)

[Paul Wilkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wilkes/)

> [“Monasticism resonated with me, with my imperfect, impulsive self, because it encompasses all human activity and asks that the disparate parts and moments of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wilkes/monasticism-resonated-with-me-with-my-imperfect-impulsive-self/)

[Paul Wilkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wilkes/)

> [“If we expect compassion, we must be ready to offer compassion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wilkes/if-we-expect-compassion-we-must-be-ready-to-offer-compassion/)

[Paul Wilkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wilkes/)

> [“If we do not test ourselves daily, in seemingly small ways, our spiritual selves will never build the strength we will need when life's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wilkes/if-we-do-not-test-ourselves-daily-in-seemingly-small-ways-our/)

[Paul Wilkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wilkes/)

> [“Ordinary gestures, done with simplicity and purity of heart, take on new meaning”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wilkes/ordinary-gestures-done-with-simplicity-and-purity-of-heart-take-on/)

[Paul Wilkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wilkes/)

[Explore all 9 Paul Wilkes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wilkes/)

## More Moral excellence quotes

> [He who governs by his moral excellence may be compared to the Pole star which abides in its place while all other stars bow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/proverb/he-who-governs-by-his-moral-excellence-may-be-compared-to-the-pole/)

Proverb

> [Pope has elegantly said a perfect woman's but a softer man. And if we take in the consideration, that there can be but one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catharine-macaulay/pope-has-elegantly-said-a-perfect-woman-s-but-a-softer-man-and-if-we/)

Catharine Macaulay

> [Moral excellence has no regard to classes and professions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-martineau/moral-excellence-has-no-regard-to-classes-and-professions/)

[Harriet Martineau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-martineau/)

> [I think I would rather live on the verge of falling and let my security be in the all-sufficiency of the grace of God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-think-i-would-rather-live-on-the-verge-of-falling-and-let-my/)

[Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/)

> [In seasons of tumult and discord bad men have most power; mental and moral excellence require peace and quietness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/in-seasons-of-tumult-and-discord-bad-men-have-most-power-mental-and/)

[Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/)

> [The desire of excellence is the necessary attribute of those who excel. We work little for a thing unless we wish for it. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/the-desire-of-excellence-is-the-necessary-attribute-of-those-who/)

[Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/)

> [“Moral excellence does not consist in aggregating pleasures and pains but in aligning them, so that we delight in noble things and take pain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sandel/moral-excellence-does-not-consist-in-aggregating-pleasures-and-pains/)

[Michael J. Sandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sandel/)

> [The desire of excellence is the necessary attribute of those who excel. We work little for a thing unless we wish for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/the-desire-of-excellence-is-the-necessary-attribute-of-those-who-2/)

[Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/)

> [ The virtues \[moral excellence\] therefore are engendered in us neither by nature nor yet in violation of nature; nature gives us the capacity to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-virtues-moral-excellence-therefore-are-engendered-in-us-neither/)

[Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/)

> [Honor is truly sacred, but holds a lower rank in the scale of moral excellence than virtue. Indeed the former is part of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/honor-is-truly-sacred-but-holds-a-lower-rank-in-the-scale-of-moral/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [Of cases where a man is truthful both in speech and conduct when no considerations of honesty come in, from an habitual sincerity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/of-cases-where-a-man-is-truthful-both-in-speech-and-conduct-when-no/)

[Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/)

> [We cannot of ourselves estimate the degree of our success in what we strive for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/we-cannot-of-ourselves-estimate-the-degree-of-our-success-in-what-we/)

[Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/)

> [Moral excellence is the bright consummate flower of all progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-sumner/moral-excellence-is-the-bright-consummate-flower-of-all-progress/)

[Charles Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-sumner/)

> [Excellence is an art won by training and habituation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/excellence-is-an-art-won-by-training-and-habituation/)

[Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/)

> [Moral excellence is an ornament for personal beauty; righteous conduct, for high birth; success for learning; and proper spending for wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/moral-excellence-is-an-ornament-for-personal-beauty-righteous-conduct/)

[Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/)

[Browse all 20 Moral excellence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-excellence/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Whether we are orderlies or orchestra conductors, either we befriend our work-- seeing in it the opportunity for moral excellence and a continual outpouring of heavenly grace-- or we become its victim.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Paul Wilkes"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wilkes/whether-we-are-orderlies-or-orchestra-conductors-either-we-befriend/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Moral excellence"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wilkes/whether-we-are-orderlies-or-orchestra-conductors-either-we-befriend/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c41/paul-wilkes-43175_moral-excellence_whether-we-are-orderlies-or-orchestra-co_2692104.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c41/paul-wilkes-43175_moral-excellence_whether-we-are-orderlies-or-orchestra-co_2692104.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c41/paul-wilkes-43175_moral-excellence_whether-we-are-orderlies-or-orchestra-co_2692104.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Whether we are orderlies or orchestra conductors, either we befriend our work-- seeing in it the opportunity…” — Paul Wilkes",
                "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": "Paul Wilkes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wilkes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Whether we are orderlies or orchestra...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wilkes/whether-we-are-orderlies-or-orchestra-conductors-either-we-befriend/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wilkes/whether-we-are-orderlies-or-orchestra-conductors-either-we-befriend/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
