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The habits of œconomy, industry, discretion, attention, and application of thought, are generally supposed to be cultivated from self-interested motives.
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“The habits of œconomy, industry, discretion, attention, and application of thought, are generally supposed to be cultivated from self-interested motives.”

Adam Smith

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Source
The Theory of Moral Sentiments
Date
1759
Meaning

Meaning of “The habits of œconomy, industry, discretion, attention, and…”

Smith acknowledges that disciplined habits can arise from self-interest while still being socially praised for the steadiness, care, and practical competence they develop.

Source context

Where does it come from?

The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Part VI, Section II discussion of systems that make virtue consist in benevolence; historical spelling “œconomy” is retained.

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CalmDiscipline Quotes About Habits, Practice & ConsistencyEffortHabitsHard WorkInspirational Quotes About Hope, Courage & PossibilityMoneyMotivational Quotes for Action, Effort & PersistencePatiencePeacePhilosophyProductivityResponsibilitySelf-Control Quotes About Restraint & JudgmentSuccessThought-Provoking Quotes That Invite ReflectionWork Ethic
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What is the reward most proper for encouraging industry, prudence, and circumspection? Success in every sort of business.
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“What is the reward most proper for encouraging industry, prudence, and circumspection? Success in every sort of business.”

Adam Smith · The Theory of Moral Sentiments · 1759
Meaning & context

Smith links practical success with habits of industry, prudence, and careful judgment, while treating that success as the characteristic external reward of those traits.

Source details

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The master-word is Work
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“The master-word is Work”

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Meaning & context

Osler makes sustained work the organizing principle of his address to medical students, emphasizing disciplined practice over brilliance without application.

Source details

The Master-Word in Medicine, address delivered October 1, 1903 at the opening of the new buildings of the University of Toronto Medical Faculty; reviewed against the represented 1903 John Murphy pamphlet, Internet Archive identifier b28060805. ‘The master-word is Work’ is Osler’s organizing refrain and is followed by his appeal to write the word on the heart and forehead. This remains historical professional rhetoric rather than an endorsement of unsafe working hours or workaholism.

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he must work and be industrious to live.
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“he must work and be industrious to live.”

Benjamin Franklin · Information to Those Who Would Remove to America · 1784
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Franklin tells prospective emigrants without inherited wealth that livelihood would depend on work and industry, directly countering expectations of effortless advancement after arrival.

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Information to Those Who Would Remove to America, before March 1784; Founders Online. The lowercase opening is retained because this is a clause from Franklin’s longer sentence about strangers, law, liberty and industry.

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Drive thy business, or it will drive thee.
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“Drive thy business, or it will drive thee.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack · 1740s
Meaning & context

Work becomes harder to control when it is left unmanaged; the maxim favors deliberate direction, priorities, and active stewardship over reactive pressure.

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Poor Richard’s Almanack; a compact maxim about managing work before accumulated demands begin managing you.

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Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure.
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“Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack · 18th century
Meaning & context

Leisure is easier to protect when working time is used deliberately, linking time management with freedom rather than treating organization as an end in itself.

Source details

Poor Richard’s Almanack; the maxim connects disciplined use of working time with the ability to gain leisure.

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