35 Inspirational Labor Day Quotes That Honor Hard Work
These famous sentiments recognize all that you do.
Summer often feels like it goes by too fast, in a blur of barbecues, beach days and fun in the sun. But before we break out the pumpkins for carving and dust off our festive fall decor, it’s important to reflect on the true meaning of Labor Day. Celebrated annually on the first Monday in September, Labor Day falls on Monday, September 4 this year. It isn’t just the “unofficial end of summer” and a day to score great deals on furniture and home goods. It’s a holiday that celebrates the labor movement in the United States and to recognize the millions of hardworking Americans who stood up for workers rights and whose determination laid the foundation for our working lives today. If you're a fan of the five-day work week, weekends off and the eight-hour standard workday, you've got union organizers to thank for that, and that's what Labor Day is for.
Although most people will mark the day off with backyard parties, parades and barbecues, don’t forget to honor the true meaning of this holiday with these inspirational Labor Day quotes. They make great Instagram captions, meaningful messages to write on social media or conversation-starters over the grill or by the pool.
You can even use these positive quotes of gratitude to teach your kids about the rich history behind this celebration of workers' rights. With uplifting words from presidential figures, international world leaders, TV icons, poets, American historians and more, there's bound to be one or two that really resonate.
Abraham Lincoln
Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.
Eleanor Roosevelt
I have a firm belief in the ability and power of women to achieve the things they want to achieve.
Henry Ford
There is joy in work. There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something.
Aristotle
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.
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Samuel Goldwyn
No person who is enthusiastic about his work has anything to fear from life.
Joseph Joubert
Genius begins great works. Labor alone finishes them.
Shirley Chisholm
If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.
Mokokoma Mokhonoana
There is more to life than making a living. Do not work more than you live.
Pearl S. Buck
To find joy in work is to find the fountain of youth.
Émile Zola
The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.
Wayne Gretzky
The highest compliment that you can pay me is to say that I work hard every day, that I never dog it.
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Stephen King
Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration. The rest of us just get up and go to work.
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Thomas Edison
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
Vince Lombardi
The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.
Mark Twain
Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is the lightning that does the work.
Honoré de Balzac
All happiness depends on courage and work.
Thomas Edison
Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.
Booker T. Washington
Nothing ever comes to one that is worth having except as a result of hard work.
Sophocles
Without labor nothing prospers.
Robert Burns
Dare to be honest and fear no labor.
Selena is the entertainment and news editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers the latest on TV, movies and celebrities. In addition to writing and editing entertainment news, she also spotlights the Hispanic and Latinx community through her work. She is a graduate of CUNY Hunter College with a B.A. in journalism and creative writing.
Annie O’Sullivan (she/her) covers holiday, gift guide, travel, and lifestyle content at Good Housekeeping. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and previously reported for Runner’s World, NBC New York/NY 4 and Woman’s Day. Annie also has experience writing entertainment news and celebrity-focused content.
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