"I look at my father, who was in many ways an unhappy person, but who, not long before he got sick, said that the greatest source of satisfaction in his life had been going to work in the company of other workers"
- Jonathan Franzen
About this Quote
In this quote, the speaker assesses their dad's life and how he discovered satisfaction in his work. Despite being an unhappy individual, the father discovered pleasure in going to work and being surrounded by other employees. This recommends that the dad valued the sociability and sense of community that included working together with others. It also highlights the significance of discovering function and satisfaction in one's job, even if other aspects of life might not be as satisfying. The speaker's appreciation for their dad's perspective on work reveals the impact that a favorable attitude and strong work principles can have on one's total fulfillment in life.
"Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage"