William Morris: All Desirable Work

Posted by admin on Friday, February 22, 2019

William Morris Money Quote saying that regardless of the actual value of work, it is presumed to be gainful employment and the act of work by itself is seen as valuable, even if it is pointless. William Morris said:
 

 

“It is assumed by most people nowadays that all work is useful, and by most well-to-do people that all work is desirable. Most people, well-to-do or not, believe that, even when a man is doing work which appears to be useless, he is earning his livelihood by it – he is ’employed'” — William Morris

 

 

In this quote, William Morris is critiquing common assumptions about work during his time. Some key points:

• He notes that most people believe all work is useful, while the well-off also think all work is desirable and worthwhile.
• However, Morris argues that even work that seems useless on the surface is still considered “employment” by those who do it, as it provides their livelihood and means of support.
• This implies that the meaning or purpose of work was often overlooked, and any work that generated an income was seen as valid employment by society.

Morris seems to be pointing out a flawed mentality that any work with economic value, even if lacking real utility or fulfillment, was still viewed positively across classes.

He suggests the social and human factors of work were not properly considered beyond just its monetary aspects.

Overall, the quote indicates Morris believed the definitions and assessments of “work”, its uses, and what makes employment desirable needed reexamination beyond superficial or financial measures alone. A broader, more holistic perspective was needed in his view.

Birthday: March 24, 1834 – Death: October 3, 1896

George Orwell: Two Money Commandments

Posted by admin on Wednesday, February 1, 2017

George Orwell Money Quote saying Money is seen as a religion by all, and has only one commandment for each of two worshippers – for business it is ‘make money’ and for workers it is, ‘stay employed’ no matter the cost to your soul. George Orwell said:
 

 

“The decalogue has been reduced to two commandments. One for the employers – the elect, the money priesthood as it were – ‘Thou shalt make money’; the other for the employed – the slaves and underlings’ – ‘Thou shalt not lose thy job.'” — George Orwell

 

 

George Orwell is criticizing how society views work and money. Orwell is saying that for businesses and employers, their main goal or “commandment” is to make as much money as possible. Meanwhile, for workers and employees, their main goal is simply to keep their job and not lose employment, even if the job is soul-crushing or goes against their values.

Orwell refers to employers as the “elect” and “money priesthood” to emphasize how they see themselves as superior to workers and view making profits as most important. He calls employees “slaves and underlings” to highlight that their main concern according to this quote is just retaining employment, not finding fulfilling work. Overall, Orwell is critiquing how work had become less about purpose and more about profits and survival for many in society.

Birthday: June 25, 1903 – Death: January 25, 1950