“The state of mind which enables a man to do work of this kind is akin to that of the religious worshiper or the lover; the daily effort comes from no deliberate intention or program, but straight from the heart.”
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Source: Principles of Research, 1918
About this quote
Sustained creative work often feels less like compliance with a schedule and more like devotion to a problem that matters deeply. The image connects disciplined effort with an internal source of commitment.
When to use it
- A researcher keeps refining an experiment because the unanswered question remains personally compelling.
- A composer returns to a difficult passage each morning without needing an external deadline.
- A community organizer continues patient outreach because the cause carries genuine moral importance.