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183 quotes, page 6 of 7Safety, health and getting home in one piece
For the driver at the end of a long shift, the forklift operator and the carer on nights: rest, care and the minute that saves a life. Every job ends with going home.
We say who really said each one, and where the credit is uncertain we tell you. Every card is ours to share.
“Dress me slowly, I'm in a hurry.”
Spanish proverb (Vísteme despacio, que tengo prisa)
When time is tight, go carefully. A mistake now costs far more time.
“Easy does it.”
English saying
Heavy wardrobe up the stairs? Easy does it, and get a second pair of hands.
“Good things come to those who wait.”
English proverb
Wait for the green light at the junction and for the right job offer.
“Keep calm and carry on.”
British government poster (1939)
When the shift goes wrong, a calm voice steadies everybody.
“Patience and diligence, like faith, remove mountains.”
William Penn, Some Fruits of Solitude (1693)
Big jobs get done safely one careful step at a time.
“Trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.”
Attributed to Molière. Widely attributed; the original source has not been traced.
Building a career in care or a trade takes years. The rewards are worth the slow start.
“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”
Marthe Troly-Curtin, Phrynette Married (1912). Often misattributed to Bertrand Russell or John Lennon.
Lazy Sunday after a long week? It is not wasted. It is recovery.
“If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live.”
Lin Yutang, The Importance of Living (1937)
Days off are for rest, not for catching up on emails.
“There is more to life than increasing its speed.”
Attributed to Mahatma Gandhi. Widely attributed; the original source has not been traced.
Shaving two minutes off the run is not worth the risk. Drive at a sensible pace.
“There is no wealth but life.”
John Ruskin, Unto This Last (1860)
Pay matters, but you only get one life. Protect it at work.
“Take short views of human life, never further than dinner or tea.”
Sydney Smith, letter to Lady Georgiana Morpeth (1820). Advice for low spirits.
On a bad day, just get to the next break. Then the next one.
“One hour's sleep before midnight is worth three after.”
George Herbert, Outlandish Proverbs (1640)
Early start tomorrow? Get to bed early tonight, not after one more episode.
“You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life.”
Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement
End of life care is precious work. Every resident deserves dignity to the very end.
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”
Attributed to William James. Widely attributed; the original source has not been traced.
Late for work in a jam? Choose to accept it, call ahead and drive calmly.
“Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.”
Attributed to William James. Widely attributed; the original source has not been traced.
Finish the small jobs that nag at you. Your head will feel lighter.
“The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night's sleep.”
Attributed to E. Joseph Cossman. Widely attributed; the original source has not been traced.
After a rejection, sleep before you decide anything. Things look different in daylight.
“There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.”
Homer, The Odyssey, Book 11. Translation varies.
End the late shift chat and get home to bed. Talk tomorrow.
“Rest is the sweet sauce of labour.”
Attributed to Plutarch. Widely attributed; the original source has not been traced.
A cup of tea after a hard morning tastes better than any other.
“No one on his deathbed ever said, I wish I had spent more time on my business.”
Attributed to Rabbi Harold Kushner. Popularised in 1984 by Senator Paul Tsongas, who credited a friend.
Work hard, but go home on time when you can. Family remembers.
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training.”
Attributed to Socrates. A paraphrase of Xenophon, Memorabilia 3.12.
Physical jobs need a bit of fitness. Warm up before a heavy shift.
“The groundwork of all happiness is health.”
Attributed to Leigh Hunt. Widely attributed; the original source has not been traced.
Look after your health first and the rest of the week goes better.
“A healthy man wants a thousand things, a sick man only one.”
Proverb, often given as German or Indian
Got your health? Then you already have the most important thing for work.
“Health is a crown on the head of the healthy that only the sick can see.”
Proverb, often given as Arabic or Egyptian
Notice and enjoy being well. Then do what it takes to stay that way.
“To ensure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.”
Attributed to William Londen. Widely attributed; the original source has not been traced.
Simple habits on and off shift keep you well through a long career.
“Your body hears everything your mind says.”
Attributed to Naomi Judd. Widely attributed; the original source has not been traced.
Talk to yourself kindly on hard days. It shows up in how you feel.
“Employment is nature's physician, and is essential to human happiness.”
Attributed to Galen. Widely attributed; the original source has not been traced.
Good work, at the right pace, is good for you. Finding it is worth the effort.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
John Hughes, Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986). Spoken by Ferris Bueller.
On a busy route, stop for a proper break. Look up from the wheel.
“Softly, softly, catchee monkey.”
British saying, popularised by Robert Baden-Powell
Gentle and patient gets the tricky job done. Forcing it breaks things.
“Steady as she goes.”
Nautical saying
Keep a steady speed and steady hands. Smooth driving is safe driving.
“This too shall pass.”
Persian adage
Tough week, tough boss, tough job search: it does not last for ever.
Other sections
- Work and keeping going (447)
- Stoic calm (235)
- An open mind (272)
- Starting a business (245)
- For leaders (167)
- Working with people (155)
- Mindset and habits (246)
- Safety and health (183)
- Starting again (174)
- Pride in the job (156)
- True stories of people who started small