“All other work but this is worthless; it is slaves' work — mere toiling to live, that we may live to toil.”

— William Morris, Signs of Change, 1888, "Useful Work versus Useless Toil"

About William Morris

1834 – 1896

English designer, poet and socialist, a leader of the Arts and Crafts movement.

“It is of the nature of man, when he is not diseased, to take pleasure in his work under certain conditions.”

“The greatest foe to art is luxury, art cannot live in its atmosphere.”

“I do not want art for a few, any more than education for a few, or freedom for a few.”

“Why does this magnificent applied science which saves work and makes life easier bring us so little happiness?”

“The happiness of men consists in life. And life is in labor.”

“Love is a great force in private life; it is indeed the greatest of all things; but love in public affairs does not work.”

“Life grants nothing to us mortals without hard work.”

“Work without Hope draws nectar in a sieve, And Hope without an object cannot live.”

“Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it is the wellspring of life.”