--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I take my work seriously, but it's not…" description: "\"I take my work seriously, but it's not the only thing that exists in the world.\" — Viggo Mortensen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d1/viggo-mortensen-1554_world_i-take-my-work-seriously-but-it-s-not-th_2196455.jpg" --- # I take my work seriously, but it's not the only thing that… ![“I take my work seriously, but it's not the only thing that exists in the world.” quote by Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d1/viggo-mortensen-1554_world_i-take-my-work-seriously-but-it-s-not-th_2196455.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d1/viggo-mortensen-1554_world_i-take-my-work-seriously-but-it-s-not-th_2196455.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d1/viggo-mortensen-1554_world_i-take-my-work-seriously-but-it-s-not-th_2196455.jpg) > “I take my work seriously, but it's not the only thing that exists in the world.” [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Work is important but not the sole purpose; life includes many other values. **In simple terms:** Work isn’t everything; balance is key. Key Takeaway Prioritize a balanced life. Themes work-life balance values purpose holistic living career Mood thoughtful calm balanced Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - career planning - family time - hobbies - volunteering - health routines Key Concepts philosophy psychology personal development Questions to Reflect On - What non‑work activities fulfill you? - How do you define success beyond work? A Different Perspective May ignore socioeconomic constraints on balance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Exists World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exists-world-477542/) [Seriously Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seriously-thing-4012343/) [Thing Exists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-exists-1087047/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work Seriously](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-seriously/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“Baby, bein’ seriously serious, you are the only thing in four years that has come close to getting me to a place where I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-kristen/baby-bein-seriously-serious-you-are-the-only-thing-in-four-years-that/) [Ashley Kristen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-kristen/) > [“Yoga exists in the world because everything is linked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-k-v-desikachar-2/yoga-exists-in-the-world-because-everything-is-linked/) [T.K.V. Desikachar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-k-v-desikachar-2/) > [As a matter of fact, no one knows that God exists and no one knows that God does not exist. To my mind there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/as-a-matter-of-fact-no-one-knows-that-god-exists-and-no-one-knows/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [“The truth about the world, he said, is that anything is possible. Had you not seen it all from birth and thereby bled it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/the-truth-about-the-world-he-said-is-that-anything-is-possible-had-2/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [“The fact is we all know that there exists in the world an order different from that in which we pass our days. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrei-codrescu/the-fact-is-we-all-know-that-there-exists-in-the-world-an-order/) [Andrei Codrescu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrei-codrescu/) > [The wise men understood that this natural world is only an image and a copy of paradise. The existence of this world is simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/the-wise-men-understood-that-this-natural-world-is-only-an-image-and/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [As long as karma exists, the world changes. There will always be karma to be taken care of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-hagen/as-long-as-karma-exists-the-world-changes-there-will-always-be-karma/) [Nina Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-hagen/) > [Politics, war, marriage, crime, adultery. Everything that exists in the world has something to do with money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/politics-war-marriage-crime-adultery-everything-that-exists-in-the/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [One great thing about fly fishing is that after a while nothing exists of the world but thoughts about fly fishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-maclean/one-great-thing-about-fly-fishing-is-that-after-a-while-nothing/) [Norman Maclean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-maclean/) > [The human form is a microcosm of the universe. All that supposedly exists outside us in reality exists in us. The world is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-klein/the-human-form-is-a-microcosm-of-the-universe-all-that-supposedly/) [Jean Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-klein/) > [The world encyclopedia, the universal library, exists, and it is the world itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-manguel/the-world-encyclopedia-the-universal-library-exists-and-it-is-the/) [Alberto Manguel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-manguel/) > [“This natural world is only an image and a copy of paradise. The existence of this world is simply a guarantee that there exists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/this-natural-world-is-only-an-image-and-a-copy-of-paradise-the/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Nothing exists in this world but me and my bed…” (p. 141).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banana-yoshimoto/nothing-exists-in-this-world-but-me-and-my-bed-p-141/) [Banana Yoshimoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banana-yoshimoto/) > [“In our lifetimes, we can only know a small portion of what exists. The world is endless and its treasures are inexhaustible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-webster/in-our-lifetimes-we-can-only-know-a-small-portion-of-what-exists-the/) [Barry Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-webster/) > [“The greatest might that exists in this world is the might of human mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/the-greatest-might-that-exists-in-this-world-is-the-might-of-human/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) ## More by Viggo Mortensen > [Speaking more than one language and living in a multicultural family and environment did not seem like anything but what it was: the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/speaking-more-than-one-language-and-living-in-a-multicultural-family/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [We all experience many freakish and unexpected events - you have to be open to suffering a little. The philosopher Schopenhauer talked about how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/we-all-experience-many-freakish-and-unexpected-events-you-have-to-be/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [Most actors can't make any kind of living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/most-actors-can-t-make-any-kind-of-living/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [As far as money goes, there's a saying in Denmark: 'Your last suit doesn't have any pockets.' You can't take it with you. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/as-far-as-money-goes-there-s-a-saying-in-denmark-your-last-suit-doesn/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [Most movies are lucky to have one moment, one shot that you look at and you always remember that moment and that scene.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/most-movies-are-lucky-to-have-one-moment-one-shot-that-you-look-at/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [I like stories that leave you wanting more, leave you wondering, but don't tell you everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/i-like-stories-that-leave-you-wanting-more-leave-you-wondering-but/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [Usually the characters I play are men of few words, who communicate in non-verbal ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/usually-the-characters-i-play-are-men-of-few-words-who-communicate-in/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [You do need to get lucky, no matter how talented you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/you-do-need-to-get-lucky-no-matter-how-talented-you-are/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [When I was a little boy, I rode, but I didn't own horses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/when-i-was-a-little-boy-i-rode-but-i-didn-t-own-horses/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [I realise how important it is to use the time I have. I respect people who want to do that by watching television. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/i-realise-how-important-it-is-to-use-the-time-i-have-i-respect-people/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [When I land in a country and they ask for 'occupation,' I always just put 'artist.' I think that covers all of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/when-i-land-in-a-country-and-they-ask-for-occupation-i-always-just/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [I was born in New York but as a baby moved to Venezuela and Argentina. I've also lived in Denmark, where my father's from.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/i-was-born-in-new-york-but-as-a-baby-moved-to-venezuela-and-argentina/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [People are becoming more intimately acquainted with people who are different than them - it's not so unusual anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/people-are-becoming-more-intimately-acquainted-with-people-who-are/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [There might be people out there who wouldn't hire me because they thought I should keep my mouth shut, but I'm not aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/there-might-be-people-out-there-who-wouldn-t-hire-me-because-they/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [Bernie Sanders has inspired millions of people in this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/bernie-sanders-has-inspired-millions-of-people-in-this-country/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) [Explore all 228 Viggo Mortensen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) ## More Work quotes > [If I am going to be phased out by whatever powers, then I want people to know that it is not because I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parvathy/if-i-am-going-to-be-phased-out-by-whatever-powers-then-i-want-people/) [Parvathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parvathy/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [When I first started writing, when I was 15, I would go to work with people and they would tell me my lyrics were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-claudio/when-i-first-started-writing-when-i-was-15-i-would-go-to-work-with/) [Sabrina Claudio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-claudio/) > [I go out there and I work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-chubb/i-go-out-there-and-i-work/) [Nick Chubb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-chubb/) > [It's no wonder Pep is one of the best coaches in the world. When I knew I could work with him I was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ederson/it-s-no-wonder-pep-is-one-of-the-best-coaches-in-the-world-when-i/) [Ederson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ederson/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [High school, going into my junior year, I kind of had the idea I was going to be the starting running back. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saquon-barkley/high-school-going-into-my-junior-year-i-kind-of-had-the-idea-i-was/) [Saquon Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saquon-barkley/) > [Yes, I am happy that my work is recognised, and it is wonderful to be acknowledged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parvathy/yes-i-am-happy-that-my-work-is-recognised-and-it-is-wonderful-to-be/) [Parvathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parvathy/) > [There is a broad range of reaction to the work, as there is a broad range of work I make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-hodges/there-is-a-broad-range-of-reaction-to-the-work-as-there-is-a-broad/) [Jim Hodges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-hodges/) > [I was just confident my work was good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bunny-yeager/i-was-just-confident-my-work-was-good/) [Bunny Yeager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bunny-yeager/) > [I had an idea for a technologically advanced luxury watch. I got involved in digital art and neon painting and put on shows of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorgio-moroder/i-had-an-idea-for-a-technologically-advanced-luxury-watch-i-got/) [Giorgio Moroder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorgio-moroder/) > [I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-carmichael/i-d-love-to-work-in-the-states-i-d-love-to-work-anywhere-where-you/) [Laura Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-carmichael/) > [It's only a little difficult to say no. You've got to believe that the work you're doing is ultimately more useful to the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-sivers/it-s-only-a-little-difficult-to-say-no-you-ve-got-to-believe-that-the/) [Derek Sivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-sivers/) > [It's weird to take your work into a room and everybody reads it. Then comes the terror part, the dissection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-shires/it-s-weird-to-take-your-work-into-a-room-and-everybody-reads-it-then/) [Amanda Shires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-shires/) [Browse all 41,216 Work quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I take my work seriously, but it's not the only thing that exists in the world.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Viggo Mortensen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/i-take-my-work-seriously-but-it-s-not-the-only-thing-that-exists-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Work" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/i-take-my-work-seriously-but-it-s-not-the-only-thing-that-exists-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d1/viggo-mortensen-1554_world_i-take-my-work-seriously-but-it-s-not-th_2196455.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d1/viggo-mortensen-1554_world_i-take-my-work-seriously-but-it-s-not-th_2196455.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d1/viggo-mortensen-1554_world_i-take-my-work-seriously-but-it-s-not-th_2196455.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I take my work seriously, but it's not the only thing that exists in the world.” — Viggo Mortensen", "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": "Viggo Mortensen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I take my work seriously, but...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/i-take-my-work-seriously-but-it-s-not-the-only-thing-that-exists-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/i-take-my-work-seriously-but-it-s-not-the-only-thing-that-exists-in/#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 } } ] } ```