“You cannot have the joys of work And take the comfort of a shirk.”

— Edgar A. Guest, "The Truth About Envy", Just Folks, 1917

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.”

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

“Give us the tools and we will finish the job.”

“All becoming and growing—all that guarantees a future—involves pain.”

“The superior man thinks of virtue; the small man thinks of comfort.”

“Let us forget and forgive injuries.”

“The time for the healing of the wounds has come.”