--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I advance with obedience to the work…" description: "\"I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become sensible how much better choice it is in your power to make.\" — Thoma..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edf/thomas-jefferson-43_choices_i-advance-with-obedience-to-the-work-rea_784512.jpg" --- # I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from… ![“I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become sensible how much better choice it is in your power to make.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edf/thomas-jefferson-43_choices_i-advance-with-obedience-to-the-work-rea_784512.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edf/thomas-jefferson-43_choices_i-advance-with-obedience-to-the-work-rea_784512.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edf/thomas-jefferson-43_choices_i-advance-with-obedience-to-the-work-rea_784512.jpg) > “I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become sensible how much better choice it is in your power to make.” [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He advises diligent work while staying ready to leave when better options arise, urging prudence in career choices. **In simple terms:** Work hard but be ready to change when better paths appear. Key Takeaway Stay diligent yet flexible in career decisions. Themes work ethic career flexibility prudence Mood reflective pragmatic Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - evaluating job offers - career pivots - retirement planning - personal growth Key Concepts opportunity cost self‑assessment long‑term planning Questions to Reflect On - When is it time to leave a job? - What criteria define a better choice? A Different Perspective May underestimate emotional cost of leaving a familiar role. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advance Obedience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advance-obedience-6038367/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Obedience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obedience/) [Obedience Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obedience-work-1362209/) [Ready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ready/) [Ready Retire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ready-retire-1382671/) [Retire Sensible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/retire-sensible-6038368/) [Retiring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/retiring/) [Sensible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensible/) ## Related quotes > [What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/what-you-do-in-your-house-is-worth-as-much-as-if-you-did-it-up-in/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [I'm not ready to retire, and I think I have some of the best music of my life coming up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-clark/i-m-not-ready-to-retire-and-i-think-i-have-some-of-the-best-music-of/) [Terri Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-clark/) > [The day I initiated divorce proceedings against Michael Farmer, I was ready to retire to a desert cave and rethink my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-swanson/the-day-i-initiated-divorce-proceedings-against-michael-farmer-i-was/) [Gloria Swanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-swanson/) > [Pound was silly, bumptious, extravagantly generous, annoying, exhibitionistic; Eliot was sensible, cautious, retiring, soothing, shy. Though Pound wrote some brilliant passages, on the whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-s-mathews/pound-was-silly-bumptious-extravagantly-generous-annoying/) [T.S. Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-s-mathews/) > [Had not a conviction of the danger to which an unlimited occupation of the executive chair would expose the republican Constitution of our Government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/had-not-a-conviction-of-the-danger-to-which-an-unlimited-occupation/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I have the consolation of having added nothing to my private fortune during my public service, and of retiring with hands clean as they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-have-the-consolation-of-having-added-nothing-to-my-private-fortune/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [My passion strengthens daily to quit political turmoil, and retire into the bosom of my family, the only scene of sincere and purehappiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/my-passion-strengthens-daily-to-quit-political-turmoil-and-retire/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I have learnt to expect that it will rarely fall to the lot of imperfect man to retire from this station with the reputation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-have-learnt-to-expect-that-it-will-rarely-fall-to-the-lot-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ The application requisite to the duties of the office I hold \[governor of Virginia\] is so excessive, and the execution of them after all… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-application-requisite-to-the-duties-of-the-office-i-hold-governor/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [It is wonderful to me that old men should not be sensible that their minds keep pace with their bodies in the progress of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/it-is-wonderful-to-me-that-old-men-should-not-be-sensible-that-their/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I have been long sensible that while I was endeavoring to render our country the greatest of all services, that of regenerating the public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-have-been-long-sensible-that-while-i-was-endeavoring-to-render-our/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am already sensible of decay in the power of walking, and find my memory not so faithful as it used to be. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-already-sensible-of-decay-in-the-power-of-walking-and-find-my/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [In a virtuous and free state, no rewards can be so pleasing to sensible minds, as those which include the approbation of our fellow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/in-a-virtuous-and-free-state-no-rewards-can-be-so-pleasing-to/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A lottery is a salutary instrument and a tax... laid on the willing only, that is to say, on those who can risk the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-lottery-is-a-salutary-instrument-and-a-tax-laid-on-the-willing-only/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I have no intention of retiring. Even my blood sugar is better when I'm working.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-stritch/i-have-no-intention-of-retiring-even-my-blood-sugar-is-better-when-i/) [Elaine Stritch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-stritch/) ## More by Thomas Jefferson > [A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-man-has-a-right-to-use-a-saw-an-axe-a-plane-separately-may-he-not/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[States and the Federal government are\] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/states-and-the-federal-government-are-coordinate-departments-of-one/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-for-freedom-of-religion-and-against-all-maneuvers-to-bring-about/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-to-the-accidental-opinion-of-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Perceiving the order of nature to be that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue, I am willing to hope it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/perceiving-the-order-of-nature-to-be-that-individual-happiness-shall/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one-step-what-will-be-the-next/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Knowledge is power...knowled ge is safety...knowle dge is happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/knowledge-is-power-knowled-ge-is-safety-knowle-dge-is-happiness/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-but-free-argument-raillery-and-even-ridicule-will-preserve/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-the-people-are-afraid-of-the-government-that-s-tyranny-but-when/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Explore all 2,098 Thomas Jefferson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More Choices quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/) [Alison James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-james/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) [Pancho Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pancho-barnes/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Movies have power. Power to impact society and the choices we make. I want to entertain, but I also want to say something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/movies-have-power-power-to-impact-society-and-the-choices-we-make-i/) [Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [I don't know that any woman could ever not think about that at some point - even making the choice not to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-watts/i-don-t-know-that-any-woman-could-ever-not-think-about-that-at-some/) [Naomi Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-watts/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) [Browse all 11,466 Choices quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become sensible how much better choice it is in your power to make.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-advance-with-obedience-to-the-work-ready-to-retire-from-it-whenever/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Choices" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-advance-with-obedience-to-the-work-ready-to-retire-from-it-whenever/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edf/thomas-jefferson-43_choices_i-advance-with-obedience-to-the-work-rea_784512.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edf/thomas-jefferson-43_choices_i-advance-with-obedience-to-the-work-rea_784512.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edf/thomas-jefferson-43_choices_i-advance-with-obedience-to-the-work-rea_784512.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become sensible how much better…” — Thomas Jefferson", "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": "Thomas Jefferson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I advance with obedience to the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-advance-with-obedience-to-the-work-ready-to-retire-from-it-whenever/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-advance-with-obedience-to-the-work-ready-to-retire-from-it-whenever/#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 } } ] } ```