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Work Quotes

Quotes on the meaning of work.

Several quotes here describe work as a solitary process, one that takes real effort to protect from distraction, while others connect a person's politics directly to the character of their work. Related reading includes Growth Quotes.

If you start by promising what you don't even have yet, you'll lose your desire to work towards getting it.

Paulo Coelho

No one ever comes up to me and says, 'Hey man, I loved your work in 'Road Trip.' They say, 'Are you that guy?' Like, they have no idea. 'Were you in 'American Pie 2?'

Quotes by Paulo Costanzo

At times, I have been criticized by some philosophers of education, who place me in postures that they classify pejoratively as 'revolutionary.' But I have had the satisfaction of being invited to work in societies making progressive efforts without wavering....

Quotes by Paulo Freire

I miss that process of getting the script and reading it and working on it. Every actor has their own way of memorizing their lines, and the whole process of starting to work with the other actors and the director,...

Quotes by Pauly Shore

The best part about stand-up is that you control everything. Period. When you work in movies, or on TV shows, there are 50 other people involved.

Quotes by Pauly Shore

When you deal with a comedian who has a specific act, you can't hold 'em back. You got to work with 'em, dude. What you think, I'm just gonna do what's on the page, say 'yes sir, no sir'? I'm...

Quotes by Pauly Shore

When you work in movies, or on TV shows, there are 50 other people involved. And it's hard, man. They brainwash you to think you're doing the right thing.

Quotes by Pauly Shore

My whole goal was to be able to work in television and film and maintain a normal life, never be in a tabloid.

Quotes by Pauley Perrette

I was a bartender in New York and I overheard this girl saying she made $3000 doing a commercial. A kid at work told me, 'Hey, I know this director and he'd really like you!'. So I walked into this...

Quotes by Pauley Perrette

I can't make it doing anything else, the amount of money. Obviously, anybody can go to work and make money, but the paycheck I make boxing, I'm not going to make anywhere else.

Quotes by Paulie Malignaggi

Sometimes it's kind of strange, and it's definitely something I have to work on in the future, but when I'm big favourite in fights, it's almost like I try too hard and try to force things to happen. That always...

Quotes by Paulie Malignaggi

When I model I pretty much go blank. You can't think too much or it doesn't work.

Quotes by Paulina Porizkova

Beauty, unlike the rest of the gifts handed out at birth, does not require dedication, patience and hard work to pay off. But it's also the only gift that does not keep on giving.

Quotes by Paulina Porizkova

I'm doing modeling to stay alive. I don't enjoy my work. I don't find it creative. You don't need brains, and there are no heavy qualifications. All it takes is not to be shy and to dare to make a...

Quotes by Paulina Porizkova

When you win a world title, you are motivated to work.

Quotes by Pauline Ferrand-Prevot

I don't read much when I'm working. When I'm finished work, I don't want a thing to do with words.

Quotes by Pauline Gedge

I don't work with a lot of preparation. I think very well on my feet, and I'm very good when the pressure is on.

Quotes by Paula Malcomson

To me, movies is just scratching the surface for the work. There are people who are so, so great at that.

Quotes by Paula Malcomson

I like to work long-term on projects. It's fun to go in and out and get in there and do something and leave it behind, but to me, the real satisfaction is doing five years on a show, where you're...

Quotes by Paula Malcomson

I don't have keepsakes from shows, really. It's in the work. It's all there.

Quotes by Paula Malcomson

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of quotes are on the "Work" page?
These lean toward the thoughtful side of work — the idea that "intellectual work is essentially a lonely process," the belief that one's politics and "the character of his particular work are inseparable," and an image of people unwinding after work all over the world talking about life's bigger questions.
Is there a spiritual angle to any of these?
While these particular quotes are secular, if you're looking for a spiritual perspective on work, see Prayers for that theme.
Do these quotes connect work to personal identity?
Yes, one of the strongest lines here argues that your politics and "the character of his particular work are inseparable" — the idea that what you do reflects who you are. If that resonates, Growth quotes explore a similar idea of work shaping the person.
Is there anything here about effort or persistence?
These specific quotes focus more on the nature and meaning of work than on effort itself, but Effort quotes cover that ground directly.
What about setting goals through work?
For that angle, Goal quotes is the better fit — the "Work" page here is more about the character and process of working itself.

There's also a lighter side - people unwinding after work to talk through life's bigger questions over drinks. See Effort Quotes and Goal Quotes for more on getting things done.