--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Work is as much a necessity to man as…" description: "\"Work is as much a necessity to man as eating and sleeping. Even those who do nothing that can be called work still imagine they are doing something. Th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/956/wilhelm-von-humboldt-7001_eating_work-is-as-much-a-necessity-to-man-as-ea_1876005.jpg" --- # Work is as much a necessity to man as eating and sleeping… ![“Work is as much a necessity to man as eating and sleeping. Even those who do nothing that can be called work still imagine they are doing something. The world has not a man who is an idler in his own eyes.” quote by Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/956/wilhelm-von-humboldt-7001_eating_work-is-as-much-a-necessity-to-man-as-ea_1876005.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/956/wilhelm-von-humboldt-7001_eating_work-is-as-much-a-necessity-to-man-as-ea_1876005.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/956/wilhelm-von-humboldt-7001_eating_work-is-as-much-a-necessity-to-man-as-ea_1876005.jpg) > “Work is as much a necessity to man as eating and sleeping. Even those who do nothing that can be called work still imagine they are doing something. The world has not a man who is an idler in his own eyes.” [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) ## 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 as essential as basic needs; even idleness is perceived as work, reflecting societal expectations of productivity **In simple terms:** Work is fundamental to human identity Key Takeaway Recognize work’s role in self‑worth and society Themes philosophy economics social norms Mood reflective critical Type philosophical sociological When to use this quote - career planning - education - time management - social critique Key Concepts labor theory self‑identity cultural pressure Questions to Reflect On - Is all work equally valuable? - How do cultural views shape our perception of idleness? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on work can neglect rest and wellbeing ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eating/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Work is a necessity for man. Man invented the alarm clock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/work-is-a-necessity-for-man-man-invented-the-alarm-clock/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [A learned man is an idler who kills time by study.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/a-learned-man-is-an-idler-who-kills-time-by-study/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [I don't know what it would be like to stop work; I can't imagine what I would do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlene-phillips/i-don-t-know-what-it-would-be-like-to-stop-work-i-can-t-imagine-what/) [Arlene Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlene-phillips/) > [Freedom and constraint are two aspects of the same necessity, the necessity of being the man you are and not another. You are free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/freedom-and-constraint-are-two-aspects-of-the-same-necessity-the/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [A faith is a necessity to a man. Woe to him who believes in nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/a-faith-is-a-necessity-to-a-man-woe-to-him-who-believes-in-nothing/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [As a matter of selective necessity, man is an agent. He is, in his own apprehension, a centre of unfolding impulsive activity-'teleological activity.' He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorstein-veblen/as-a-matter-of-selective-necessity-man-is-an-agent-he-is-in-his-own/) [Thorstein Veblen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorstein-veblen/) > [“Hard work is a necessity of today in order to live a great life tomorrow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paras-soni/hard-work-is-a-necessity-of-today-in-order-to-live-a-great-life/) Paras Soni > [The greatest antidote in the world for grief is work, and the necessity of work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bess-streeter-aldrich/the-greatest-antidote-in-the-world-for-grief-is-work-and-the/) [Bess Streeter Aldrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bess-streeter-aldrich/) > [True Work is the necessity of poor humanity's earthly condition. The dignity is in leisure. Besides, 99 hundredths of all the work done in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/true-work-is-the-necessity-of-poor-humanity-s-earthly-condition-the/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Black women . . . work because their husbands can't make enough money at their jobs to keep everything going. . . . They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-rudolph/black-women-work-because-their-husbands-can-t-make-enough-money-at/) [Wilma Rudolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-rudolph/) > [it is no small comfort to me to know that God has called me to my work, putting me where I am and as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hudson-taylor/it-is-no-small-comfort-to-me-to-know-that-god-has-called-me-to-my/) [Hudson Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hudson-taylor/) > [I never called my work an 'art'. It's part of show business, the business of building entertainment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/i-never-called-my-work-an-art-it-s-part-of-show-business-the-business/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Working hard is not always fun - that's why it is called work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-pitino/working-hard-is-not-always-fun-that-s-why-it-is-called-work/) [Rick Pitino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-pitino/) > [ “\[Il ne manque cependant à l'oisiveté du sage qu'un meilleur nom, et que méditer, parler, lire, et être tranquille s'appelât travailler.\] There is, however,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/il-ne-manque-cependant-l-oisivet-du-sage-qu-un-meilleur-nom-et-que-m/) [Jean de La Bruyère](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [“What we call creative work, Ought not to be called work at all because it isn't. I imagine that Thomas Edison never did a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-we-call-creative-work-ought-not-to-be-called-work-at-all-because/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Wilhelm von Humboldt > [The things of the world are ever rising and falling, and in perpetual change; and this change must be according to the will of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/the-things-of-the-world-are-ever-rising-and-falling-and-in-perpetual/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [Whatever does not spring from a man's free choice, or is only the result of instruction and guidance, does not enter into his very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/whatever-does-not-spring-from-a-man-s-free-choice-or-is-only-the/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [However great an evil immorality may be, we must not forget that it is not without its beneficial consequences. It is only through extremes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/however-great-an-evil-immorality-may-be-we-must-not-forget-that-it-is/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [To behold, is not necessary to observe, and the power of comparing and combining is only to be obtained by education. It is much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/to-behold-is-not-necessary-to-observe-and-the-power-of-comparing-and/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [The mere reality of life would be inconceivably poor without the charm of fancy, which brings in its bosom, no doubt, as many vain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/the-mere-reality-of-life-would-be-inconceivably-poor-without-the/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [We cannot assume the injustice of any actions which only create offense, and especially as regards religion and morals. He who utters or does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/we-cannot-assume-the-injustice-of-any-actions-which-only-create/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [If it were not somewhat fanciful to suppose that every human excellence is presented, as it were, in one kind of being, we might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/if-it-were-not-somewhat-fanciful-to-suppose-that-every-human/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [If we reason that we want happiness for others, not for ourselves, then we ought justly to be suspected of failing to recognize human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/if-we-reason-that-we-want-happiness-for-others-not-for-ourselves-then/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [Besides the pleasure derived from acquired knowledge, there lurks in the mind of man, and tinged with a shade of sadness, an unsatisfactory longing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/besides-the-pleasure-derived-from-acquired-knowledge-there-lurks-in/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [Even sleep is characteristic. How beautiful are children in their lovely innocence! how angel-like their blooming features! and how painful and anxious is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/even-sleep-is-characteristic-how-beautiful-are-children-in-their/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [To inquire and to create; these are the grand centres around which all human pursuits revolve, or at least to these objects do they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/to-inquire-and-to-create-these-are-the-grand-centres-around-which-all/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [Women are in this respect more fortunate than men, that most of their employments are of such a nature that they can at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/women-are-in-this-respect-more-fortunate-than-men-that-most-of-their/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [In every remodelling of the present, the existing condition of things must be supplanted by a new one. Now every variety of circumstances in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/in-every-remodelling-of-the-present-the-existing-condition-of-things/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [“For even if we know very little that is certain about spirit or soul, the true nature of the body, of materiality, is totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/for-even-if-we-know-very-little-that-is-certain-about-spirit-or-soul/) [Wilhelm Von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > [Prayer is intended to increase the devotion of the individual, but if the individual himself prays he requires no formula; he pours himself forth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/prayer-is-intended-to-increase-the-devotion-of-the-individual-but-if/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) [Explore all 94 Wilhelm von Humboldt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) ## More Eating quotes > [By eating many fruits and vegetables in place of fast food and junk food, people could avoid obesity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-h-murdock/by-eating-many-fruits-and-vegetables-in-place-of-fast-food-and-junk/) [David H. Murdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-h-murdock/) > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-wear-a-watch-because-i-want-my-arms-to-weigh-the-same-so-if/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [Most people are sensitized to animals through their cats and dogs, but for me it was a flounder. I used to go fishing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mathews/most-people-are-sensitized-to-animals-through-their-cats-and-dogs-but/) [Dan Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mathews/) > [I have my meals delivered... you know what I like? Chicken and rice... But the problem with being a defensive lineman is, if we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-douglas/i-have-my-meals-delivered-you-know-what-i-like-chicken-and-rice-but/) [Hugh Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-douglas/) > [I do not believe in eating fish hot. People always insist on hot fish, but that leaves it dried out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-zakarian/i-do-not-believe-in-eating-fish-hot-people-always-insist-on-hot-fish/) [Geoffrey Zakarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-zakarian/) > [One things guys have to remember is consistency... You can't make up for three years of eating poorly in just one workout.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apolo-ohno/one-things-guys-have-to-remember-is-consistency-you-can-t-make-up-for/) [Apolo Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apolo-ohno/) > [My mom cares that I tweeted a picture of my breakfast. She's knows I'm eating and I'm safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dorsey/my-mom-cares-that-i-tweeted-a-picture-of-my-breakfast-she-s-knows-i-m/) [Jack Dorsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dorsey/) > [There is an idea that you can take the spiritual teachings of a religion outside of a religion and practice them; these ideas are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seyyed-hossein-nasr/there-is-an-idea-that-you-can-take-the-spiritual-teachings-of-a/) [Seyyed Hossein Nasr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seyyed-hossein-nasr/) > [I have an intense dislike of doctrines, because you will always end up eating your words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yotam-ottolenghi/i-have-an-intense-dislike-of-doctrines-because-you-will-always-end-up/) [Yotam Ottolenghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yotam-ottolenghi/) > [The worst thing for me is to not taste what I'm eating, to not know what I'm eating. It upsets me to no avail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-robuchon/the-worst-thing-for-me-is-to-not-taste-what-i-m-eating-to-not-know/) [Joel Robuchon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-robuchon/) > [The heaviest I've ever been is 65 kilos. That was during my Leaving Cert when I was just studying and eating chocolate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-taylor/the-heaviest-i-ve-ever-been-is-65-kilos-that-was-during-my-leaving/) [Katie Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-taylor/) > [For fear of causing terror to living beings, Mahamati, let the Bodhisattva who is disciplining himself to attain compassion, refrain from eating flesh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/for-fear-of-causing-terror-to-living-beings-mahamati-let-the/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [The good Bishop of Assisi expressed a sort of horror at the hard life which the Little Brothers lived at the Portiuncula, without comforts,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-good-bishop-of-assisi-expressed-a-sort-of-horror-at-the-hard-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think the best Thanksgiving we ever had was one where we didn't even have a turkey. Mom and Dad sat us kids down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/i-think-the-best-thanksgiving-we-ever-had-was-one-where-we-didn-t/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [I have a great time cooking and eating Thai green chicken curry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-have-a-great-time-cooking-and-eating-thai-green-chicken-curry/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) [Browse all 4,153 Eating quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eating/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Work is as much a necessity to man as eating and sleeping. Even those who do nothing that can be called work still imagine they are doing something. 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