Work--and Human Happiness

There are many sentiments that could be cited on the subject of work. Among them is this sentence by a wit who was wary of work: “I like work; it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.” But there are some earnestly serious thoughts on this theme; and one is that the Creator intended that all men should work their way through life. Working isn’t a matter merely of personal want or of wealth. It is a principle of human happiness, and a “must” for mankind. And whenever freedom from work becomes an ideal, not only are poverty and privation in the offing, but something happens inside⎯not only as to the mind and muscle of man, but there is a sagging of his very soul. Beyond the gifts of Nature, beyond the blessings of Providence, the world is only as rich as men make it. And as to the things that men make, the world will not suddenly become richer, except as we work. If a city is beautiful, if a house is livable, if a road is wide, if a garden is a goodly place, it is because men have added their intelligent labors to what God has given. Without work, no field was ever plowed; no food was ever prepared. Without work, no music was ever made; no book was ever written; no picture was ever painted. Without work, no child was ever taught; no place was ever pioneered; no civilization ever survived. It was John Ruskin who wrote: “Whenever the arts and labors of life are fulfilled in the spirit of…doing whatever we have to do honorably and perfectly, they invariably bring happiness. In all other paths by which…happiness is pursued there is disappointment…For ambition and for passion there is n o rest, no fruition. The fairest pleasures of youth perish. But [work] worthily followed, gives peace. Ask the laborer in the field, at the forge, or in the mine; ask the patient, delicate-fingered artisan and none who are true workmen will ever tell you that they found the law of Heaven an unkind one, that in the sweat of their face they should eat bread…nor that they ever found it an unrewarded obedience…” Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” ⎯for without honest and willing worth-while work men shrivel inside.