Clerks Quote by W. H. Auden
“Between labor and play stands work. A man is a worker if he is personally interested in the job which society pays him to do; whatfrom the point of view of society is necessary labor is from his point of view voluntary play. Whether a job is to be classified as labor or work depends, not on the job itself, but on the tastes of the individual who undertakes it. The difference does not, for example, coincide with the difference between a manual and a mental job; a gardener or a cobbler may be a worker, a bank clerk a laborer.”
About This Quote
Work lies between compulsory labor and voluntary play; personal interest determines whether an activity feels like labor or work.
In simple terms: Interest makes work feel like play, otherwise it feels like labor.
Key Takeaway
Align tasks with personal interests.
Themes
labor
play
meaningful work
motivation
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- career counseling
- education
- volunteer projects
- creative hobbies
Key Concepts
autonomy
intrinsic motivation
job satisfaction
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you transform a laborious task into a playful one?
- What role does societal expectation play?
A Different Perspective
Not all societies value personal interest equally.
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