Help me find a quote

[Horological]

This is a bit of a niche thing I know, but maybe somebody can help?

I am looking for a quote from somewhere (anywhere, but it would be great if it were something classic like Shakespeare!)

I am coming to the end of my PhD thesis. I won't say exactly what it's about, but it does highlight the need to encourage greater engagement (less cynicism etc.) in a particular profession. I'd love to find something about doing whatever you do wholeheartedly. There is a poem by George Herbert called Elixir which is basically saying that the secret of happiness is to totally engage with whatever you do. I am looking for something like that, but without the religion!

I'll include your name in my acknowledgements if you come up with something suitable.

Have you looked at Kipling's If?

In the words of Ron Swanson (Parks and Recreation): “Never half-ass two things. Whole-ass one thing.”

You’re perhaps looking for something slightly more conventionally poetic, though.

“How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?” – Epictetus

Boring suggestion maybe but can you access a dictionary of quotes via your university library and search for work + happiness? They may have an online version you can access from home.

(I'm an academic librarian and that's what I would suggest to a PhD student with your question!)

What about "Be as great in act, as you have been in thought" ? I think it's from King John.

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant" — Robert Louis Stevenson (attrib.)

"If you reach for the stars all you get are the stars... If you reach for the heavens, you get the stars thrown in." — Anthony Drewe

The second isn't classical, it's from the musical Mary Poppins but thought it might have the right sort of intention.

There's the very simple: 'Joy's soul lies in the doing' meaning you get most pleasure from engaging in what you do. It's said by Cressida in Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida. If you only need a short quote, that works.

“Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.”

Shakespeare, Measure for Measure.

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” — Theodore Roosevelt

Wow thanks so much for all your suggestions. I didn't expect so many!

@FourEyesGood I love Ron Swanson and that quote is exactly the meaning I was looking for, though maybe not suitable for a thesis.

@goldfinchonthelawn I like that one very much. I will PM you if I use it.

@FruityPolos I will try your suggestion of a dictionary of quotations, thank you.