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“I have chosen the question of woman's labor because I think it is the kernel of the whole woman question, as I firmly believe in the following great and fundamental truth of modern ethics, which is valid for both man and woman: labor alone, of whatever nature, divided and remunerated with equity, is the actual source of the enhancement of the human species.”
Anna Kuliscioff (1854–1925) said by 1925 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I think at the core of capitalism is the valuing of some kinds of labor more than others. That’s simply at the core, and then taking that further of some bodies who do certain kinds of labor more than others...”
Kim E. Nielsen (born 1965) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“American labor was strongest when the threat of communism was greatest. The apogee of America's welfare state, with all its limitations, was coterminous with the height of the Cold War. The dismantling of the welfare state and the labor movement, meanwhile, marched in tandem with communism's collapse.”
Gary Gerstle (born 1954) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order: America and the World in the Free Market Era (2022), p. 12
“Mr. James R. Mitchell, Secretary of Labor, reported that the Department of Labor in a recent survey found that: "Purchasing power of the Negroes was more than $17,000,000,000 and that a third of the Negro population owned their own homes. Negro wage earners, he said, make four and a half times what they earned in 1940.”
Manning Johnson (1908–1959) said by 1959 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The 13th-month pay is a core labor standard and the Department of Labor and Employment will not compromise on its payment by the employers to their workers.”
Rosalinda Baldoz wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Class struggle according to the most up-to-date speeches of the labor bureaucrats was superseded by modern pragmatic understandings of the common interests of labor and capital.”
James Petras (1937–2026) said by 2026 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We are working aggressively to support our Japanese ally at this time of extraordinary challenge. Search and rescue teams are on the ground in Japan to help the recovery effort. A disaster assistance and response team is working to confront the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami. The U.S. military, which has helped to ensure the security of Japan for decades, is working around the clock.”
Barack Obama (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I think we've come to where we are because of those positive ties and working together for working families. That's our priority and continues to be. It's been there since our founding and we've now achieved the best success we've ever had electorally. So I think you want to continue with what's working”
Jack Layton (1950–2011) said by 2011 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In order to judge that something is not working, wouldn’t we have to know what it’s effects really are? … And surely some of our social practices cannot be judged to be “working” except by invoking the goal of objective truth. For example, to know whether or not the criminal justice system is working well, wouldn’t we have to know something about the accuracy of its results?”
David Detmer (born 1958) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The working culture in an organization is rarely spoken about and is often only discussed when someone is critical about where they are working. This is a shame as the working culture influences and affects everything around you.”
Nigel Cumberland (born 1967) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Working days in England are not the same as working days in foreign ports, because working days in England, by the custom and habits of the English, if not by their law, do not include Sundays.”
William Brett, 1st Viscount Esher (1815–1899) first seen 1885 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Nielsen v. Wait (1885), L. R. 16 Q. B. 71.
“He says, Sure we've been working it, sure we've been collaborating with communism, yes we're working with global accommodation, yes, we're working for world government. But the only thing I object to, is that we've kept it a secret.”
Larry McDonald (1935–1983) said by 1983 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speaking of Carroll Quigley, a history professor at Georgetown University, ; retrieved August 24, 2009.
“No use to preach to the working-man courtesy and politeness when at the same time the working-man is not given working conditions under which he can always stay polite and soft-mannered. One must not expect clean speech from a man compelled to live in filth and always overtired and usually hungry.”
B. Traven (1882–1969) said by 1969 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“writing, to me, is so important 'cause it allows me to think publicly about ideas that I'm working through as a lawyer or I'm working through as an organizer or as I'm working through as a parent, for example.”
Derecka Purnell wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As a worker in the factories for years and as an organizer of working women for five or six years, as one who has come in contact with the working women in the factories during strikes, in organizations and out of organizations, I favor a minimum wage for working women and minors.”
Pauline Newman (labor activist) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I was so tied up in working, working, working, and getting ahead. And I was so tied up in that because I really do love acting. I don't like this industry, but I love creating things, creating art”
China Anne McClain (born 1998) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: China Anne McClain Unpacks "Black Lightning" End, Loss, and Finding Herself", February 18, 2021
“The Apostle Paul wants us to work with our hands in order to share with the needy (Ephesians 5:28). Notice that he could have said that we should work to support ourselves. But Paul says that we work to give to those in need. This is why caring for our body is also a Christian work. If the body is healthy and fit, we are able to work and save money that can be used to help those in need.”
Martin Luther (1483–1546) said by 1546 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“No work is low or bad in this world if it is done in the right spirit. (…) That is why a man should never hesitate to do any work. Whether it is high or low, big or small, no work is bad. Work is work.”
Haidakhan Babaji (2000–1984) said by 1984 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have after years of thinking on the subject come to the conviction that work is the only instrument of effective education. It may sometimes be manual work and sometimes non-manual work. Although it is work alone that can educate, I have also come to the conviction by long observation and experience that all work does not educate.”
Zakir Hussain (politician) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Be ready because women have decided that we will work. We will no longer rely on men. When I say work, it’s real work ooo. All work is work.”
Nse Ikpe-Etim (born 1974) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Smart work only happens after hard work. There is no substitute for hard work.There is no smart work without hard work.”
Mamokgethi Phakeng (born 1966) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My family juggled family for me so I could focus on my work. Even at work, I had a lot of people that made sure things went smoothly for me so that I didn’t have a case where I was carrying frustration from work back home. I was able to keep work at work and home at home.”
Abimbola Abolarinwa (born 1980) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I wanted also to be very clear for young people coming out what their work is. And your work is not to make your mom accept you. That's your mom's work. Your mom has to work to understand what she needs and ... the best ways that she can love you. Your work is to just live authentically and as honestly as you can.”
Gabby Rivera first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview, NPR (2019)
“What a falsehood it is to say that genius and industry are incompatible ! Does one work of genius exist that has not also been a work of labour ?”
Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802–1838) said by 1838 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In Labour Governments we did our best to make capitalism work in a civilised way. And we failed. It never can work. It will always exploit and oppress the people.”
Tony Benn (1925–2014) first seen 2014 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: From an obituary: Tony Benn: an outstanding leader of the British left by Rob Sewell 14 March 2014
“In 2004 when as a Labour government, we were not only welcoming people to come into this country to work, we were sending out search parties for people and encouraging them, in some cases, to take up work in this country.”
Peter Mandelson (born 1953) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: From a statement to the Daily Mail, as reproduced in "Labour 'sent out search parties for immigrants', Lord Mandelson admits", The Telegraph (14 May 2013).
“The bridge was not of such great importance or social significance, but it was symbolical that Labour was capable of decision, that the machinery of democratic public administration would work if the men and women in charge were determined that it should work.”
Herbert Morrison (1888–1965) first seen 1934 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Times (10 December 1934).
“I will help stop child trafficking and child abuse. We have to work with agencies in this area to eliminate the menace. We need to work with agencies involved in this area to keep children off the street and free them from forced labour”
Iheoma Nnadi (born 1995) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I genuinely felt that my work was beginning to help shape the potential Labour Government's stance on housing, energy, and climate issues, as well as scrutinising the Cabinet Office and constitutional matters. We were making steady progress. I am disappointed not to have been able to continue this important work.”
Lloyd Russell-Moyle (born 1986) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: From a statement, as cited in "Ousted former MP announces Labour Party return", BBC News (16 January 2025).
“Rural men and women lack decent work opportunities. Women in particular face greater difficulties in transforming their labour into more productive employment activities and their paid work into higher and more secured incomes.”
Philomena Nyarko (born 1956) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Governments are raising taxes for austerity and that doesn’t work. Poor people cannot spend themselves into wealth and governments cannot tax their economies into prosperity. If you tax people who work, and pay people who don’t work, don’t be surprised if you find a lot of people not working…”
Arthur Laffer (born 1940) first seen 2012 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Reagan will come back: Interview with Arthur Laffer” (24 December 2012), Interview conducted by Economiaendostardes in Spain (16 December 2012)
“Americans are willing to work – and work hard. But right now, an awful lot of people feel there is less and less respect for the work they do. And less respect for them, period. Democrats are the party of working people. But we haven't done a good enough job showing that we get what you're going through, and that we're going to do something about it.”
Hillary Clinton (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There is no alternative to work. I find nothing nicer than working. MK tells me that I am a workaholic. If I don’t work I get a headache and I feel depressed. I like to work round the clock all the time.”
Shahrukh Khan (born 1965) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If instead of doing the real work of love you start doing organized propaganda work for me, it is absurd. I need no propaganda or publicity. I do not want propaganda and publicity, but I do want love and honesty. If you cannot live the life of love and honesty, you should stop working for me. I am quite capable of doing my Universal Work alone.”
Meher Baba (1894–1969) said by 1969 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I think when you work with really wonderful directors who have a really strong vision, it lets you as an artist set the tone for your own career. So for me, it's not necessarily having that kind of notoriety. I'm interested in great work and working with people that have a singular vision, and I think the work dictates that.”
Sarah Gadon (born 1987) first seen 2011 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: SARAH GADON IS NEW CLASS' 'MOST LIKELY TO WEAR A CORSET (September 30, 2011)
“More importantly, I think one’s attitude towards work also matters. If you’re hard-working and people find that you put in all your efforts into your work, you will get patronized to a large degree. All through my 41 years in the industry, I’ve always been busy with work. There’s never been a time I have no job to do.”
Mayen Adetiba (born 1954) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: There were just two of us in class — Mayen Adetiba, renowned Civil Engineer, Vanguard (May 13, 2016)
“All that support gives you strength to keep working and focus for the future. This is a moment for [women] to work, focus on your dream, hard work, sacrifice, you will get a chance. Once you get this chance, it is in your hands, focus and work for the future.”
Salima Mukansanga (born 1988) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: No dream too big for AFCON's first woman referee Mukansanga amp.dw.com (02/04/2022 February 4, 2022)
“I have just completed my degree series which I have been working on in lockdown. I have really enjoyed making it, however my dream series at the moment is just being able to make work in a large studio where I can work to any scale and have space to stand back. Lockdown had really shown my the importance of having a studio and the space to look at your work.”
Anna Woodward (1868–1935) said by 1935 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I will use this experience in the Philippines to improve my work and share what I learned from working here in Korea. If there’s a chance to work again in Korea, I want to work with you guys again. SarangeyoooOoOoOooO,”
Melai Cantiveros (born 1988) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Melai Cantiveros pens heartfelt message for crew of her Korean project, Toff C. 4 August 2023.
“As much as I loved the ideas, I excelled at experimental failure, I found new ways to make experiments not work. I would mess up PCRs, add the wrong buffers, northerns, westerns, southerns. I would make them not work in quite ingenious ways, and I realized slowly, over the course of those years, that the secret to being a great scientist is to love the manual labor of it.”
Jonah Lehrer (born 1981) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I, too, can work, and because I love to labor with my head and my hands, I am an optimist in spite of all. I used to think I should be thwarted in my desire to do something useful. But I have found out that though the ways in which I can make myself useful are few, yet the work open to me is endless.”
Helen Keller (1880–1968) said by 1968 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I maintain my identity by regular work, there is always labor when inspiration has fled, but inspiration returns quicker when identity and the work stream are maintained.”
David Smith (1906–1965) said by 1965 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There are so many versions of communes; it's not just one thing. But I don't think shared-property communes work. I think shared-labor communes work, versions of that that make sense.”
Andrea Zittel (born 1965) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I think the big irony is that industrial labor was really disabling, whether that was coal mines or shoemaking or farm work, industrial farm work. Those are really hard on bodies and often on minds, and it was very disabling. So even while it excluded disability at the beginning, it created a lot of disability.”
Kim E. Nielsen (born 1965) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The proletarian army must be exclusively composed of persons belonging to the working class, of persons who do not expoloit labour and who are directly interested in the victory of the workers' revolution.”
Nikolai Bukharin (1888–1938) said by 1938 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Labour can claim with some confidence that it is both voicing the demands of nearly all enlightened educationalists and working for the only organization of education which will enable the community to make the best use of the most precious of its natural resources — the endowments of its children.”
R. H. Tawney (1880–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I am struck again by the fact that as soon as a working man gets an official post in the Trade Union or goes into Labour politics, he becomes middle-class whether he will or no. ie. by fighting against the bourgeoisie he becomes a bourgeois. The fact is that you cannot help living in the manner appropriate and developing the ideology appropriate to your income.”
George Orwell (1903–1950) first seen 1936 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Road to Wigan Pier Diary 6-10 February (1936)
“We are waging a struggle against the "labour aristocracy" in the name of the masses of the workers and in order to win them over to our side; we are waging struggle against he opportunist and social chauvinist leaders in order to win the working class over to our side.”
Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924) said by 1924 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“No social co-operation under the division of labour is possible when some people or unions of people are granted the right to prevent by violence and the threat of violence other people from working. When enforced by violence, a strike in vital branches of production or a general strike are tantamount to a revolutionary destruction of society.”
Ludwig von Mises (1881–1973) said by 1973 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The working classes may be injuriously degraded and oppressed in three ways:1st — When they are neglected in infancy2nd — When they are overworked by their employer, and are thus rendered incompetent from ignorance to make a good use of high wages when they can procure them.3rd — When they are paid low wages for their labour”
Robert Owen (1771–1858) first seen 1818 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Two Memorials on Behalf of the Working Classes (1818)