Work: A Wonder Drug
September 12, 1965
In speaking of work and leisure and play and pleasure, there is this further to consider: that work is essential. Work is essential to survival. It is essential to peace of mind, to health and happiness. It is essential to the development of the spirit and soul of man⎯for “…only through dedicated work does a man fulfill himself.” This being so it would seem that shoddy work, careless work, indifferent work, would seldom if ever give anyone real satisfaction, either the doer of the work or the one for whom it is done. When Phidias was criticized for carving a statue with too much care, because, his critic said, the details would not be seen in the dome of an Athenian temple, the sculptor replied: “Men may not see, but the immortals will.” And he might have added: the workman himself will see it. “A man’s perfection is his work,” said Carlyle. And so is his imperfection also, for in his work he manifests himself in many ways. “Work is the revelation of one’s inner being,” and an unworthy piece of work has its adverse effect. “No man needs sympathy because he has to work,” said Theodore Roosevelt, “…Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” Thomas Edison, who was known for long hours and wonderfully productive work, said: “I never did anything worth doing by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident.” Whatever one does, it ought to be of excellence. The one who permits himself to be associated with something “shoddy” tends himself to deteriorate, and his work becomes a dull drudgery. To be content with mediocrity⎯with merely getting by, holding back our best, putting and arbitrary limit on our output and efforts⎯is an alarming symptom wherever it shows itself. “If you do not want to commit suicide,” said Voltaire, “always have something to do.” “Work,” said Dr. Orlando Battista, “is the best wonder drug ever devised by God…” St. Paul gave us this serious, searching conclusion: “Every man’s work shall be made manifest.”