--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Such is the constitution of man that…" description: "\"Such is the constitution of man that labour may be styled its own reward; nor will any external incitements be requisite, if it be considered how much ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62e/samuel-johnson-50_agitation_such-is-the-constitution-of-man-that-lab_1499303.png" --- # Such is the constitution of man that labour may be styled… ![“Such is the constitution of man that labour may be styled its own reward; nor will any external incitements be requisite, if it be considered how much happiness is gained, and how much misery escaped, by frequent and violent agitation of the body.” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62e/samuel-johnson-50_agitation_such-is-the-constitution-of-man-that-lab_1499303.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62e/samuel-johnson-50_agitation_such-is-the-constitution-of-man-that-lab_1499303.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62e/samuel-johnson-50_agitation_such-is-the-constitution-of-man-that-lab_1499303.png) > “Such is the constitution of man that labour may be styled its own reward; nor will any external incitements be requisite, if it be considered how much happiness is gained, and how much misery escaped, by frequent and violent agitation of the body.” [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human nature finds work rewarding in itself; external incentives are unnecessary when we recognize the joy of effort and the avoidance of suffering. **In simple terms:** Work feels rewarding; we don’t need extra motivation. Key Takeaway Find value in the work itself. Themes work motivation human nature happiness misery Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career development - personal fitness - daily chores - creative projects Key Concepts intrinsic reward psychology of labor Questions to Reflect On - What work feels rewarding without external praise? - How does effort translate to happiness? A Different Perspective External rewards may still be needed for some tasks. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agitation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agitation/) [Agitation Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agitation-body-5492501/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Considered Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/considered-happiness-1127805/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Constitution Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution-man-1000672/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Incitement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incitement/) [Labour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labour/) [Man Labour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-labour-1010061/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Misery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misery/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent/) ## Related quotes > [Such is the constitution of Man that labor may be said to be its own re-ward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/such-is-the-constitution-of-man-that-labor-may-be-said-to-be-its-own/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [When all things are considered, happiness is a better indicator of success than success has ever been of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mardy-grothe/when-all-things-are-considered-happiness-is-a-better-indicator-of/) [Mardy Grothe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mardy-grothe/) > [Political agitation, by the passions it arouses or the convictions it engenders, may in fact stimulate men to the violation of the law. Detestation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/learned-hand/political-agitation-by-the-passions-it-arouses-or-the-convictions-it/) [Learned Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/learned-hand/) > [I prefer a man who will burn the flag and then wrap himself in the constitution to a man who will burn the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-washington/i-prefer-a-man-who-will-burn-the-flag-and-then-wrap-himself-in-the/) [Craig Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-washington/) > [The Constitution is man-made, so it is not perfect. It's not the basis of my beliefs. My belief system is based on the Scriptures…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/the-constitution-is-man-made-so-it-is-not-perfect-it-s-not-the-basis/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [They knew that to put God in the constitution was to put man out. They knew that the recognition of a Deity would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-knew-that-to-put-god-in-the-constitution-was-to-put-man-out-they/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are indeed, in the present corruption of mankind, many incitements to forsake truth: the need of palliating our own faults and the convenience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/there-are-indeed-in-the-present-corruption-of-mankind-many/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Every man prefers virtue, when there is not some strong incitement to transgress its precepts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/every-man-prefers-virtue-when-there-is-not-some-strong-incitement-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect. Every advance into knowledge opens new prospects, and produces new incitements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/curiosity-is-one-of-the-permanent-and-certain-characteristics-of-a-2/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Nothing should be made by man's labour which is not worth making, or which must be made by labour degrading to the makers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-morris/nothing-should-be-made-by-man-s-labour-which-is-not-worth-making-or/) [William Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-morris/) > [“What man's labour cannot do in ten years, GOD's favour can settle it in ten seconds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osunsakin-adewale/what-man-s-labour-cannot-do-in-ten-years-god-s-favour-can-settle-it/) [Osunsakin Adewale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osunsakin-adewale/) > [It is idleness that is the curse of man - not labour. Idleness eats the heart out of men as of nations, and consumes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-smiles/it-is-idleness-that-is-the-curse-of-man-not-labour-idleness-eats-the/) [Samuel Smiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-smiles/) > [“The separation between the Man of Labour and the Instruments of Labout once established, such a state of things will maintain itself and reproduce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/the-separation-between-the-man-of-labour-and-the-instruments-of/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [I am called to man's labour; why then do I make a difficulty if I am going out to do what I was born…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/i-am-called-to-man-s-labour-why-then-do-i-make-a-difficulty-if-i-am/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [There is no idleness, by which we are so easily seduced, as that which dignifies itself by the appearance of business, and by making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/there-is-no-idleness-by-which-we-are-so-easily-seduced-as-that-which/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## More by Samuel Johnson > [The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-size-of-a-man-s-understanding-might-always-be-justly-measured-by/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Pound St. Paul's Church into atoms, and consider any single atom; it is to be sure, good for nothing; but put all these atoms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/pound-st-paul-s-church-into-atoms-and-consider-any-single-atom-it-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [You can never be wise unless you love reading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/you-can-never-be-wise-unless-you-love-reading/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [If our aim is to praise, we should forget to criticize; if our aim is to criticize, we should remember to praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/if-our-aim-is-to-praise-we-should-forget-to-criticize-if-our-aim-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [All theory is against free will; all experience is for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-theory-is-against-free-will-all-experience-is-for-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Had I learned to fiddle, I should have done nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/had-i-learned-to-fiddle-i-should-have-done-nothing-else/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [It is as foolish to make experiments upon the constancy of a friend, as upon the chastity of a wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-as-foolish-to-make-experiments-upon-the-constancy-of-a-friend/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/resolve-not-to-be-poor-whatever-you-have-spend-less-poverty-is-a/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-basis-of-all-excellence-is-truth-he-that-professes-love-ought-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Words are daughters of earth but ideas are sons of heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/words-are-daughters-of-earth-but-ideas-are-sons-of-heaven/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The composition of Shakespeare is a forest, in which oaks extend in the air, interspersed sometimes with weeds and brambles, and sometimes giving shelting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-composition-of-shakespeare-is-a-forest-in-which-oaks-extend-in/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The cherubim were never intended as an object of worship, because they were only the appendices to another thing. But a thing is then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-cherubim-were-never-intended-as-an-object-of-worship-because-they/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Nobody has the right to put another under such a difficulty that he must either hurt the person by telling the truth or hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/nobody-has-the-right-to-put-another-under-such-a-difficulty-that-he/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of gaining our own self-esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/that-kind-of-life-is-most-happy-which-affords-us-most-opportunities/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The time will come to every human being when it must be known how well he can bear to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-time-will-come-to-every-human-being-when-it-must-be-known-how/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) [Explore all 1,998 Samuel Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## More Agitation quotes > [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Indifference is harder to fight than hostility, and there is nothing that kills an agitation like having everybody admit that it is fundamentally right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-eastman/indifference-is-harder-to-fight-than-hostility-and-there-is-nothing/) [Crystal Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-eastman/) > [...the Government must not think that they can stop this agitation. It will go on...We are here not because we are law-breakers; we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmeline-pankhurst/the-government-must-not-think-that-they-can-stop-this-agitation-it/) [Emmeline Pankhurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmeline-pankhurst/) > [This position is untenable, and there can be no pause in the agitation for full political power and responsibility until these are granted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-kelley/this-position-is-untenable-and-there-can-be-no-pause-in-the-agitation/) [Florence Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-kelley/) > [“It is unworthy of great spirits to spread abroad the agitation they feel”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-is-unworthy-of-great-spirits-to-spread-abroad-the-agitation-they/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“If lies comfort, and truth disturbs - self is being agitated as a result of prideful living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-f-hodge/if-lies-comfort-and-truth-disturbs-self-is-being-agitated-as-a-result/) [T.F. Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-f-hodge/) > [We too are called to withdraw at certain intervals into deeper silence and aloneness with God, together as a community as well as personally;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/we-too-are-called-to-withdraw-at-certain-intervals-into-deeper/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [The wisest among my race understand that agitations of social equality is the extremist folly, and that progress in the enjoyment of all privileges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/the-wisest-among-my-race-understand-that-agitations-of-social/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [“Mirabeau: “If you have been told to clear us from this hall, you must ask for orders to use force. We shall leave our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/mirabeau-if-you-have-been-told-to-clear-us-from-this-hall-you-must/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) > [Agitation is that part of our intellectual life where vitality results; there ideas are born, breed and bring forth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-edward-woodberry/agitation-is-that-part-of-our-intellectual-life-where-vitality/) [George Edward Woodberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-edward-woodberry/) > [It is not proper to project our feelings onto things or to attribute our own sensations and passions to them. Can it also be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/it-is-not-proper-to-project-our-feelings-onto-things-or-to-attribute/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Agitation is all about poetry, governance is all about prose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jairam-ramesh/agitation-is-all-about-poetry-governance-is-all-about-prose/) [Jairam Ramesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jairam-ramesh/) > [Wherever capitalism appears, in pursuit of its mission of exploitation, there will Socialism, fertilized by misery, watered by tears, and vitalized by agitation be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-v-debs/wherever-capitalism-appears-in-pursuit-of-its-mission-of-exploitation/) [Eugene V. Debs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-v-debs/) > [Patience takes courage. It is not an ideal state of calm. In fact, when we practice patience we will see our agitation far more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/patience-takes-courage-it-is-not-an-ideal-state-of-calm-in-fact-when/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Every day I observe more and more the folly of judging of others by ourselves; and I have so much trouble with myself, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/every-day-i-observe-more-and-more-the-folly-of-judging-of-others-by/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) [Browse all 173 Agitation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agitation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Such is the constitution of man that labour may be styled its own reward; nor will any external incitements be requisite, if it be considered how much happiness is gained, and how much misery escaped, by frequent and violent agitation of the body.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Samuel Johnson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/such-is-the-constitution-of-man-that-labour-may-be-styled-its-own/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Agitation" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/such-is-the-constitution-of-man-that-labour-may-be-styled-its-own/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62e/samuel-johnson-50_agitation_such-is-the-constitution-of-man-that-lab_1499303.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62e/samuel-johnson-50_agitation_such-is-the-constitution-of-man-that-lab_1499303.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62e/samuel-johnson-50_agitation_such-is-the-constitution-of-man-that-lab_1499303.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Such is the constitution of man that labour may be styled its own reward; nor will any external incitements…” — Samuel Johnson", "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": "Samuel Johnson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Such is the constitution of man...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/such-is-the-constitution-of-man-that-labour-may-be-styled-its-own/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/such-is-the-constitution-of-man-that-labour-may-be-styled-its-own/#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 } } ] } ```