The worker must work for the glory of his handiwork, not simply for… — W.E.B. Du Bois · Smartyfair

The worker must work for the glory of his handiwork, not simply for pay; the thinker must think for truth, not for fame.

W.E.B. Du Bois1868–1963 · activist · 1800s-1900s USAW.E.B. Du Bois was a Black American writer, historian, and sociologist who became one of the most important civil rights leaders of his time.4 quotes

Source foundWisdom1800s

In plain words

Do good work because you are proud of it, not just for money or fame.

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Where these words come from

How sure this is: 95% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
What turned up: The Souls of Black Folk (1903), Chapter VI, 'Of the Training of Black Men' — grepped verbatim in the staged Gutenberg text (id 408).
Work: The Souls of Black Folk
Occasion: 1903 · Chapter VI, on the true purpose of work and thought.
Sources checked: gutenberg.orgChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 21 August 2026Project Gutenberg #408, The Souls of Black Folk

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More from W.E.B. Du Bois

I insist that the object of all true education is not to make men carpenters, it is to make carpenters men.

W.E.B. Du Bois I sit with Shakespeare and he winces not.

W.E.B. Du Bois I loved my school, and the fine faith the children had in the wisdom of their teacher was truly marvellous.

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