Carolina Quotes
Labour is not more the duty, than the blessing of man. Without it, there is neither mental nor physical vigour, health, cheerfulness, nor animation; neither the eagerness of hope, nor the capacity to enjoy.
William Gaston Carolinian
Source
Address delivered before the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 20 June 1832; Documenting the American South, UNC
- form
- speech
- work
- Address before the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies
- year
- 1832
Cite this record
“Labour is not more the duty, than the blessing of man. Witho…” William Gaston. Carolina Quotes, record CQ-B16174108F. https://carolinaquotes.com/quote/b16174108f
More from William Gaston
I hold, that, generally, every man is the architect of his own fortune, the author of his own greatness or insignificance, happiness or misery.
Let youth be ever modest, ever deferential to the counsels, the suggestions and the claims of others. But in matters of right and wrong, whatever be the lures, the taunts, or the usages of the world, or whatever the supposed inconveniences of singularity, let judgment and conscience always rule with absolute sway. Carry this maxim with you through life, whatever be the station you are to occupy, or the business you are to pursue and carry with it another kindred maxim, rely for success in your undertakings, not on the patronage of others, but on your own capacity, resolution, diligence, and exertions. Rise by merit, or rise not at all.
Disguise the truth as we may, and throw the blame where we will, it is Slavery which, more than any other cause, keeps us back in the career of improvement. It stifles industry and represses enterprize--it is fatal to economy and providence--it discourages skill--impairs our strength as a community, and poisons morals at the fountain head.