“Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.”
Share this quote
About this quote
Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.' cuts through excuses: value comes from work, not from tools or money. Stop blaming lack of capital for stalled progress and own the daily grind that creates results. Commit to skill, consistency, and effort — let outcomes follow your work.
When to use it
- An entrepreneur uses the line to remind themselves to focus on building a working product and serving customers before chasing investors.
- A manager argues for investing in worker training and fair pay, saying tools only matter after people can use them well.
- A job seeker decides to learn a practical skill and log hours of real practice rather than waiting for the perfect opportunity.
- A small business owner prioritizes consistent workmanship and customer trust over flashy marketing or quick loans.