--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perpetual devotion to what a man calls…" description: "\"Perpetual devotion to what a man calls his business is only to be sustained by perpetual neglect of many other things.\" — Robert Louis Stevenson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/976/robert-louis-stevenson-289_business_perpetual-devotion-to-what-a-man-calls-h_1296000.jpg" --- # Perpetual devotion to what a man calls his business is… ![“Perpetual devotion to what a man calls his business is only to be sustained by perpetual neglect of many other things.” quote by Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/976/robert-louis-stevenson-289_business_perpetual-devotion-to-what-a-man-calls-h_1296000.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/976/robert-louis-stevenson-289_business_perpetual-devotion-to-what-a-man-calls-h_1296000.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/976/robert-louis-stevenson-289_business_perpetual-devotion-to-what-a-man-calls-h_1296000.jpg) > “Perpetual devotion to what a man calls his business is only to be sustained by perpetual neglect of many other things.” [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Obsessive focus on work leads to neglect of other life aspects. **In simple terms:** All work harms balance. Key Takeaway Balance work with other priorities. Themes work balance neglect Mood reflective concerned Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - career planning - family time - hobbies - health maintenance Key Concepts existentialism time management Questions to Reflect On - What are you sacrificing for work? - How can you create space for other priorities? A Different Perspective Over‑focus can cause burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Devotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devotion/) [Neglect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neglect/) [Priorities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priorities/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [We neglect those things which are under our very eyes, and heedless of things within our grasp, pursue those which are afar off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/we-neglect-those-things-which-are-under-our-very-eyes-and-heedless-of/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Upon us lies the responsibility neither to neglect things because they are old nor to reject them because they are new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-dearmer/upon-us-lies-the-responsibility-neither-to-neglect-things-because/) Percy Dearmer > [Instead of a perpetual and perfect measure of the divine will, the fragments of the Koran were produced at the discretion of Mahomet; each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/instead-of-a-perpetual-and-perfect-measure-of-the-divine-will-the/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [My most earnest wish is to see the republican element of popular control pushed to the maximum of its practicable exercise. 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