Aspect Quote by Simone de Beauvoir
“Work almost always has a double aspect: it is a bondage, a wearisome drudgery; but it is also a source of interest, a steadying element, a factor that helps to integrate the worker with society. Retirement may be looked upon either as a prolonged holiday or as a rejection, a being thrown on to the scrap-heap.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Ethics of Ambiguity, 1947
Work can be both oppressive and fulfilling, serving as a social integrator; retirement can be seen as leisure or marginalization.
In simple terms: Work has good and bad sides; retirement can be a holiday or exclusion.
Key Takeaway
Seek meaningful work and plan purposeful retirement.
Themes
work
retirement
society
identity
purpose
Mood
thoughtful
balanced
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- post‑career life
- social engagement
Key Concepts
existentialism
social integration
meaningful labor
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes work meaningful for you?
- How can retirees stay socially integrated?
A Different Perspective
Retirement may not be universally positive.
