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You work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth.
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“You work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth.”

Kahlil Gibran

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Source
The Prophet
Date
1923
Meaning

Meaning of “You work that you may keep pace with…”

Work is presented as participation in life rather than only a transaction for wages or status.

Source context

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The Prophet, “On Work.”

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BeautifulBusinessConsistencyDiscipline Quotes About Habits, Practice & ConsistencyEffortGratitudeHappinessHard WorkInspirational Quotes About Hope, Courage & PossibilityJoyLifeMeaning of Life Quotes About What Makes Life MatterMoneyMotivation For LifeMotivational Quotes for Action, Effort & PersistenceNaturePositive Quotes About a Constructive OutlookProductivityPurpose Quotes About Direction, Duty & Meaningful WorkShortSuccessWork Ethic
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however rich or poor we may be, all that we eat, all that we are clothed with, all that shelters us, from the palace to the cottage, is the result of labour.
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“however rich or poor we may be, all that we eat, all that we are clothed with, all that shelters us, from the palace to the cottage, is the result of labour.”

Samuel Smiles · Thrift · 1875
Meaning & context

Everyday necessities are traced back to human labour, encouraging recognition of the usually invisible work supporting food, clothing and shelter.

Source details

Thrift, Chapter I, “Industry,” Project Gutenberg #14418. The sentence follows Smiles’s description of cooperation with nature and argues that food, clothing and shelter all depend on labour; it is a broad moral-economic claim, not a complete production model.

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Work is love made visible.
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“Work is love made visible.”

Kahlil Gibran · The Prophet · 1923
Meaning & context

Work gains meaning when care is expressed through attention, craft, and service, making effort a visible form of commitment rather than mere obligation.

Source details

The Prophet, “On Work,” Project Gutenberg #58585. Almustafa answers a ploughman’s request to speak of work; after linking work, knowledge and love, he says “Work is love made visible” and develops the statement through craft, bread, wine and song imagery. This remains framed poetic-spiritual discourse, not an empirical workplace or productivity rule.

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Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
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“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.”

Proverbs · King James Bible — Proverbs 6:6 · 1611
Meaning & context

The proverb uses the ant as an example of self-directed preparation, turning observation of repeated practical behavior into a lesson about disciplined habits.

Source details

Proverbs 6:6 in the King James Version; the following verses describe the ant preparing food without an overseer.

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it is my chief duty and joy to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble.
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“it is my chief duty and joy to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble.”

Helen Keller · Optimism: An Essay · 1903
Meaning & context

Ordinary tasks receive full seriousness because Keller measures duty by how faithfully work is done rather than by the prestige attached to it.

Source details

Optimism: An Essay (1903), Project Gutenberg #31622. Keller contrasts longing for a great task with the daily duty of doing humble tasks well.

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