--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One might think that the money value of…" description: "\"One might think that the money value of an invention constitutes its reward to the man who loves his work. But... I continue to find my greatest pleasu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1af/thomas-a-edison-866_innovation_one-might-think-that-the-money-value-of_3211882.jpg" --- # One might think that the money value of an invention… ![“One might think that the money value of an invention constitutes its reward to the man who loves his work. But... I continue to find my greatest pleasure, and so my reward, in the work that precedes what the world calls success.” quote by Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1af/thomas-a-edison-866_innovation_one-might-think-that-the-money-value-of_3211882.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1af/thomas-a-edison-866_innovation_one-might-think-that-the-money-value-of_3211882.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1af/thomas-a-edison-866_innovation_one-might-think-that-the-money-value-of_3211882.jpg) > “One might think that the money value of an invention constitutes its reward to the man who loves his work. But... I continue to find my greatest pleasure, and so my reward, in the work that precedes what the world calls success.” [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True reward lies in the joy of creation, not monetary success. **In simple terms:** Finding pleasure in work is more rewarding than money. Key Takeaway Focus on the process, not just profit. Themes creativity intrinsic motivation reward success Mood inspired thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - Inventing - artistic pursuits - research projects Key Concepts Joy of creation personal fulfillment innovation mindset Questions to Reflect On - What drives you more: passion or profit? - How can you value process over outcome? A Different Perspective Money can dominate and distract from purpose. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Innovation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/) [Invention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invention/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Reward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reward/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“Thomas Edison once said, “One might think that the money value of an invention constitutes its reward to the man who loves his work.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-r-niven/thomas-edison-once-said-one-might-think-that-the-money-value-of-an/) Paul R. Niven > [I find my greatest pleasure, and so my reward, in the work that precedes what the world calls success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/i-find-my-greatest-pleasure-and-so-my-reward-in-the-work-that/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [The greatest reward for a man's failure is not necessarily the consequent success, but what he becomes by it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogwo-david-emenike/the-greatest-reward-for-a-man-s-failure-is-not-necessarily-the/) [Ogwo David Emenike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogwo-david-emenike/) > [“Pleasure is a reward, given to the human system by evolution in return for services rendered to the preservation and increase of the species.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/pleasure-is-a-reward-given-to-the-human-system-by-evolution-in-return/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [Pain is not a punishment. And pleasure is not a reward. You could argue that failure is not punishment and Success is not reward.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lewis/pain-is-not-a-punishment-and-pleasure-is-not-a-reward-you-could-argue/) [Sarah Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lewis/) > [“Time, yes … We waste it or save it or use it—one would almost think we mastered it instead of the other way around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ward-moore/time-yes-we-waste-it-or-save-it-or-use-it-one-would-almost-think-we/) [Ward Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ward-moore/) > [Merit is a work for the sake of which Christ gives rewards. But no such work is to be found, for Christ gives by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/merit-is-a-work-for-the-sake-of-which-christ-gives-rewards-but-no/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [“What is precious is not the reward but the work. And I wish you to understand that. If you work and study in order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/what-is-precious-is-not-the-reward-but-the-work-and-i-wish-you-to/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-salk/the-reward-for-work-well-done-is-the-opportunity-to-do-more/) [Jonas Salk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-salk/) > [The reward is found in the work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/the-reward-is-found-in-the-work/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [Low-wage individuals barely get anything. I think we have to reward work, and I do think that we need to bump up the earned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-coffman/low-wage-individuals-barely-get-anything-i-think-we-have-to-reward/) [Mike Coffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-coffman/) > [“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-behold-i-come-quickly-and-my-reward-is-with-me-to-give-every-man/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/for-a-small-reward-a-man-will-hurry-away-on-a-long-journey-while-for/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [The highest reward for a man's toil is not what he gets for it but what he becomes by it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-highest-reward-for-a-man-s-toil-is-not-what-he-gets-for-it-but/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Verily God does not reward man for what he does, but for what he is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/verily-god-does-not-reward-man-for-what-he-does-but-for-what-he-is/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) ## More by Thomas A. Edison > [We are striking it big in the electric light, better than my vivid imagination first conceived. Where this thing is going to stop Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/we-are-striking-it-big-in-the-electric-light-better-than-my-vivid/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [I will not say I failed 1000 times, I will say that I discovered there are 1000 ways that can cause failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/i-will-not-say-i-failed-1000-times-i-will-say-that-i-discovered-there/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Friendship is the heaven of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/friendship-is-the-heaven-of-life/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Even though I am nearly deaf, I seem to be gifted with a kind of inner hearing which enables me to detect sounds and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/even-though-i-am-nearly-deaf-i-seem-to-be-gifted-with-a-kind-of-inner/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/being-busy-does-not-always-mean-real-work-the-object-of-all-work-is/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [The very first thing an executive must have is a fine memory. Of course it does not follow that a man with a fine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/the-very-first-thing-an-executive-must-have-is-a-fine-memory-of/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Personally, I enjoy working about 18 hours a day. Besides the short catnaps I take each day, I average about four to five hours…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/personally-i-enjoy-working-about-18-hours-a-day-besides-the-short/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [The brain can be developed just the same as the muscles can be developed, if on will only take the pains to train the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/the-brain-can-be-developed-just-the-same-as-the-muscles-can-be/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [“People who will not turn a shovel full of dirt on the project nor contribute a pound of material, will collect more money from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/people-who-will-not-turn-a-shovel-full-of-dirt-on-the-project-nor/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [When I have fully decided that a result is worth getting I go ahead of it and make trial after trial until it comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/when-i-have-fully-decided-that-a-result-is-worth-getting-i-go-ahead/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [I remember that I was never able to get along at school. I was at the foot of the class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/i-remember-that-i-was-never-able-to-get-along-at-school-i-was-at-the/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Invention is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/invention-is-10-inspiration-and-90-perspiration/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [There seems to be no limit to which some men will go to avoid the labor of thinking. Thinking is hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/there-seems-to-be-no-limit-to-which-some-men-will-go-to-avoid-the/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Somewhere between the ages of eleven and fifteen, the average child begins to suffer from an atrophy, the paralysis of curiosity and the suspension…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/somewhere-between-the-ages-of-eleven-and-fifteen-the-average-child/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Not only will atomic power be released, but someday we will harness the rise and fall of the tides and imprison the rays of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/not-only-will-atomic-power-be-released-but-someday-we-will-harness/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) [Explore all 345 Thomas A. Edison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) ## More Innovation quotes > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I believe that one defines oneself by reinvention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-believe-that-one-defines-oneself-by-reinvention/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [“In the innovation age customer experience is key. Your impression defines their expression”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fela-durotoye/in-the-innovation-age-customer-experience-is-key-your-impression/) [Fela Durotoye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fela-durotoye/) > [“Incrementalism never allows innovation to flourish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-ratna/incrementalism-never-allows-innovation-to-flourish/) [Abhishek Ratna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-ratna/) > [I have tremendous admiration for companies with the kind of pioneering spirit and innovation eBay has demonstrated from day one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-hammer/i-have-tremendous-admiration-for-companies-with-the-kind-of/) [Bonnie Hammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-hammer/) > [Real breakthroughs are not found because you want to develop some new technology, but because you are curious and want to find out how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-zeilinger/real-breakthroughs-are-not-found-because-you-want-to-develop-some-new/) [Anton Zeilinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-zeilinger/) > [Why is it that, when we want to think outside the proverbial box, we often put ourselves in one? We gather our team in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-best/why-is-it-that-when-we-want-to-think-outside-the-proverbial-box-we/) [Charles Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-best/) > [We have to be innovative, we have to be fresh, we have to be new. People are counting on that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-barthel/we-have-to-be-innovative-we-have-to-be-fresh-we-have-to-be-new-people/) [Sarah Barthel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-barthel/) > [All of the barriers to innovation in the energy sector are arguments for a big commitment to public investment. Only the public sector can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nordhaus/all-of-the-barriers-to-innovation-in-the-energy-sector-are-arguments/) [Ted Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nordhaus/) > [I'd take garbage, and I'd glue them together and create inventions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-makosinski/i-d-take-garbage-and-i-d-glue-them-together-and-create-inventions/) [Ann Makosinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-makosinski/) > [“Some innovations just don’t attract enough economic or social demand: just as supersonic flight and manned space flight stagnated after the 1970s, today (in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-j-rees/some-innovations-just-don-t-attract-enough-economic-or-social-demand/) Martin J. Rees > [We're focused on providing innovations in software, driving the continuous improvement for a much better experience, and there's a lot going on here that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/we-re-focused-on-providing-innovations-in-software-driving-the/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Other things being equal, it is the person who can lift his work up to the plane of the intuitional and inspiration who achieves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanwood-cobb/other-things-being-equal-it-is-the-person-who-can-lift-his-work-up-to/) Stanwood Cobb > [Let art, then, imitate nature, find what she desires, and follow as she directs. For in invention nature is never last, education never first;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/let-art-then-imitate-nature-find-what-she-desires-and-follow-as-she/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) [Browse all 4,437 Innovation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One might think that the money value of an invention constitutes its reward to the man who loves his work. But... I continue to find my greatest pleasure, and so my reward, in the work that precedes what the world calls success.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas A. 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