“And a kindly word when the work is fair Is welcomed and wanted everywhere.”

— Edgar A. Guest, "If I Were a Boss", The Passing Throng, 1923

About Edgar A. Guest

1881 – 1959

English-born American poet, known as the "People's Poet".

“He started to sing as he tackled the thing that couldn't be done, and he did it.”

“Life must be what we make of it.”

“Whate'er my task, be this my creed: I am on earth to fill a need.”

“What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty!”

“We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds.”

“Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work.”

“Hard work is simply the refuge of people who have nothing whatever to do.”

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

“I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.”