labor, n.Definitions

Labor is purposive-rational action.

Labor is not exploited, rather capital is exploited.

Labor is 'jehovah's curse', an ontological burden, while rest, leisure, and tranquility are to be valorized.

Labor is a kind of productive activity, not a burden, but the distinctive human trait.

Labor is external to the worker rather than intrinsic to his nature. Therefore, in his work he does not affirm himself but denies himself, does not feel content but unhappy, does not develop freely his physical and mental energy but mortifies his body and his mind. The worker therefore only feels himself outside his work, and in his work feels outside himself.

Labor is external to the laborer. . . . It is not part of his nature... consequently he does not fulfill himself in his labor but denies himself. . . . The laborer therefore feels himself at home only during his leisure time, whereas at work he feels homeless.

Labor has the desire for pride and joy in doing good work, a sense of making or doing something beautiful or useful to be treated with dignity and respect as brother and sister.

Labor is commanded by necessity and thus by unfreedom. Labor creates nothing of permanence, its efforts are quickly consumed and so it must be perpetually renewed so as to sustain life.