I remember reading the 6th paragraph as a teenager, it’s still good: “First of all: what is work? Work is of two kinds: first, altering the position of matter at or near the earth’s surface relatively to other such matter; second, telling other people to do so. The first kind is unpleasant and ill paid; the second is pleasant and highly paid. The second kind is capable of indefinite extension: there are not only those who give orders but those who give advice as to what orders should be given. Usually two opposite kinds of advice are given simultaneously by two different bodies of men; this is called politics. The skill required for this kind of work is not knowledge of the subjects as to which advice is given, but knowledge of the art of persuasive speaking and writing, i.e. of advertising.”

> Throughout Europe, though not in America, there is a third class of men, more respected than either of the classes of workers. These are men who, through ownership of land, are able to make others pay for the privilege of being allowed to exist and to work. These landowners are idle, and I might, therefore, be expected to praise them. Unfortunately, their idleness is rendered possible only by the industry of others; indeed their desire for comfortable idleness is historically the source of the whole gospel of work. The last thing they have ever wished is that others should follow their example.

Ahhh, how times have changed indeed!

Earlier discussions:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10310846 – Oct 2015 (24 comments)

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10876730 – Jan 2016 (25 comments)

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21509144 – Nov 2019 (82 comments)

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29338666 – Nov 2021 (173 comments)

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40257677 – May 2024 (108 comments)

I remember my Dad giving me this to read when I was about 14, just the thing for a teen who was getting snowed under with school work!