--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We can say without exaggeration that the…" description: "\"We can say without exaggeration that the present national ambition of the United States is unemployment. People live for quitting time, for weekends, f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68e/wendell-berry-236_able_we-can-say-without-exaggeration-that-the_2006720.jpg" --- # We can say without exaggeration that the present national… ![“We can say without exaggeration that the present national ambition of the United States is unemployment. People live for quitting time, for weekends, for vacations, and for retirement; moreover, this ambition seems to be classless, as true in the executive suites as on the assembly lines. One…” quote by Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68e/wendell-berry-236_able_we-can-say-without-exaggeration-that-the_2006720.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68e/wendell-berry-236_able_we-can-say-without-exaggeration-that-the_2006720.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68e/wendell-berry-236_able_we-can-say-without-exaggeration-that-the_2006720.jpg) > “We can say without exaggeration that the present national ambition of the United States is unemployment. People live for quitting time, for weekends, for vacations, and for retirement; moreover, this ambition seems to be classless, as true in the executive suites as on the assembly lines. One works not because the work is necessary, valuable, useful to a desirable end, or because one loves to do it, but only to be able to quit - a condition that a saner time would regard as infernal, a condemnation.” [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The U.S. culture values leisure and quitting over meaningful work, turning employment into a means to an end rather than a fulfilling purpose. **In simple terms:** Work is seen as a way to quit, not a calling. Key Takeaway Seek purpose, not just escape. Themes work leisure purpose societal values Mood critical thought‑provoking Type essay social commentary When to use this quote - career planning - policy debate - personal fulfillment Key Concepts alienation consumerism meaninglessness Questions to Reflect On - What would a purpose‑driven work life look like? - How can society re‑value meaningful labor? A Different Perspective May overlook those who find intrinsic value in work. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Assembly line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assembly-line/) [Condemnation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/condemnation/) [Exaggeration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exaggeration/) [Executives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/executives/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [One love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/one-love/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Retirement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/retirement/) [Unemployment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unemployment/) [United states](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states/) [Vacation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vacation/) [Weekend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weekend/) ## Related quotes > [We need a national ambition to build hundreds of thousands of new homes a year, both private and socially-rented - led by someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gove/we-need-a-national-ambition-to-build-hundreds-of-thousands-of-new/) [Michael Gove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gove/) > [Most of the people I meet who are on unemployment are people who have had jobs for 25 years, lost them; they've been knocking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-schumer/most-of-the-people-i-meet-who-are-on-unemployment-are-people-who-have/) [Chuck Schumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-schumer/) > [Every day I've got to hear about unemployment and people starving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-davis/every-day-i-ve-got-to-hear-about-unemployment-and-people-starving/) [Jonathan Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-davis/) > [“It is a misconception to think of the function or result of machines as primarily one of creating jobs . The real result of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-hazlitt/it-is-a-misconception-to-think-of-the-function-or-result-of-machines/) [Henry Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-hazlitt/) > [Categorical condemnation is the hatred of the mob. It makes cowards brave. 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