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About this quote

What does it mean?
After a life of hard work, one finds rest in the afterlife where labor becomes joyful rather than burdensome.
In plain terms
Work ends in life but continues happily in the afterlife.
What can you take from it?
Labor can be viewed as a divine purpose rather than just a burden.

Where it applies

  • end of career
  • religious comfort
  • retirement

Putting it to work

  • pastoral counseling
  • motivational speaking
  • obituary writing

Questions to consider

  • What makes work feel meaningful?
  • How do you want to rest?

Another view

It relies on religious belief in an afterlife that not everyone shares.

More from Henry van Dyke

  1. What we do belongs to what we are; and what we are is what becomes of us.

    Permalink to quote #4
  2. This is the gospel of labour, ring it, ye bells of the kirk! The Lord of Love came down from above, to live with the men who work. This is the rose that He pla…

    Permalink to quote #6
  3. And so, by night, while we were all at rest, I think the coming sped the parting guest.

    Permalink to quote #3

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