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The Entire Point Of Life Is To Find Ways To Get Others To Do Your Work For You. Don’t You Know Anything About Basic Economics?
-Brandon Sanderson
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The Entire Point Of

Brandon Sanderson
...
The Entire Point Of Life Is To Find Ways To Get Others To Do Your Work For You. Don’t You Know Anything About Basic Economics?

Understanding the Quote: "the entire point of life is to find ways to get others..."

This quote by Brandon Sanderson reflects deeply on the theme of way. It connects to the universal human journey of purpose, motivation, and reflection. Often categorized under Way, Life Is, Economics, the quote offers insight, emotional clarity, and intellectual inspiration to readers worldwide.

Whether you’re a student exploring new ideas, a leader trying to motivate your team, or someone seeking direction in life — this quote provides value. It resonates because it’s more than words — it’s a bridge between experience and wisdom. It shows how Brandon Sanderson interprets life's core challenges and triumphs.

Lessons From the Quote

This quote teaches resilience and focus. It reminds readers that no matter where they stand in life, reflection and self-awareness lead to growth. Each word has meaning, and when studied, it becomes clear how impactful thoughtful language can be.

About Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is celebrated for insightful thoughts on way and life is. Their legacy lives on through writings that guide, comfort, and inspire. Discover more on their profile page.

Actionable Takeaways

  • Reflect on how this quote applies to your current life path.
  • Share the message with someone who needs inspiration.
  • Write your thoughts on this quote in a journal or blog post.
  • Use it as a daily affirmation or reminder.

Closing Thoughts

Quotes like this endure because they capture universal truths. They comfort us in solitude and empower us in groups. Carry this quote forward — live by its wisdom, share its message, and keep its essence alive.

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Topic
Way
Life Is
Economics
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Sacrifice
Men
What Did You Put In The Fire?" Kaladin Said. "to Make That Special Smoke?" "nothing. It Was Just And Ordinary Fire." "but, I Saw-" "what You Saw Belongs To You. A Story Doesn't Live Until It Is Imagined In Someone's Mind." "what Does The Story Mean, Then?" "it Means What You Want It To Mean," Hoid Said. "the Purpose Of A Storyteller Is Not To Tell You How To Think , But To Give You Questions To Think Upon. Too Often, We Forget That.
Mean
Thinking
Fire
Normally, I Have A Lot Of Alpha Readers On My Books. These Are People That, Once I Finish A Novel, I Let Them Look At It And Give Me A Reader Response.
Book
People
Giving
Personally, I Say, "out Of The Frying Pan And Into The Deadly Pit Filled With Sharks Who Are Wielding Chainsaws With Killer Kittens Stapled To Them." However, That One's Having A Rough Time Catching On.
Catching On
Sharks
Frying Pans
You're Wonderful. So Full Of Life And Excitement. The Priests And Servants Of The Palace, They Wear Colors, But There's No Color Inside Of Them. They Just Go About Their Duties, Eyes Down, Solemn. You've Got Color On The Inside, So Much Of It That It Bursts Out And Colors Everything Around You.
Eye
Color
Palaces
It Was Amazing How Many Books One Could Fit Into A Room, Assuming One Didn't Want To Move Around Very Much.
Moving
Book
Want
He Found Himself Weeping. Not For The Future Or For The Emperor. These Were The Tears Of A Man Who Saw Before Himself A Masterpiece. True Art Was More Than Beauty; It Was More Than Technique. It Was Not Just Imitation. It Was Boldness, It Was Contrast, It Was Subtlety.
Art
Men
Tears
Vin Snorted, Kneeling In The Low Tent As She Pulled Her Belt Tight; Then She Crawled Over To Him. "i Don't Know How You Read While Riding," She Said. "oh, It's Quite Easy - If You Aren't Afraid Of Horses." "i'm Not Afraid Of Them," Vin Said. "they Just Don't Like Me. They Know I Can Outrun Them, And That Makes Them Surly.
Horse
Kneeling
Tents
Wayne's A Little Attached To That Hat," Waxillium Said. "he Thinks It's Lucky." Wayne: "it Is Lucky. I Ain't Never Died While Wearing That Hat." Marasi Frowned. "i ... I'm Not Sure I Know How To Respond." Wax: "that's A Common Reaction To Wayne.
Thinking
Lucky
Littles
At First Raoden Stayed Away From The Library, Because It Reminded Him Of Her. Then He Found Himself Drawn Back To It—because It Reminded Him Of Her.
Library
Firsts
Found
Act With Honor, And Honor Will Aid You
Honor
Aids
However A Man Who Was Honest And Clever Was Always, Always More Difficult To Scam Than Someone Who Was Both Dishonest And Clever. Sincerity. It Was So Difficult , By Definition, To Fake.
Clever
Men
Fake
You Know, I Was A Nerdy Kid Going Through High School, And Then I Got To College And That All Vanished. I Mean, A Lot Of My Good Friends - When We Were In High School, We Would Never Have Been Able To Hang Out Together Because We Were In Such Different Cliques Or Whatever. Now, Who Cares?
Mean
Kids
School
A Person Knows When They’re In Darkness, Even When They Can’t See. -nightblood
Darkness
Persons
Knows
If We Must Put Our Head Into The Lion’s Mouth, Let Us Make Certain That He Chokes Upon Our Flesh!
Mouths
Lions
Flesh
The More Limitations You Put On A Character Often Times The Better A Character You'll Make Them, The More Interesting The Story Becomes Because The Character Can't Simply Wave A Hand And Make Something Happen. They Have To Work Within The Framework.
Character
Hands
Interesting
I Don't Have Much Time For Stories," Vin Said. "seems That Fewer And Fewer People Do, These Days." A Canopy Kept Off The Ash, But He Seemed Unconcerned About The Mists. "it Makes Me Wonder What Is So Alluring About The Real World That Gives Them All Such A Fetish For It. It's Not A Very Nice Place These Days.
Real
Nice
People
Must Someone, Some Unseen Thing, Declare What Is Right For It To Be Right? I Believe That My Own Morality - Which Answers Only To My Heart - Is More Sure And True Than The Morality Of Those Who Do Right Only Because They Fear Retribution.
Believe
Heart
Unseen Things
The Look Of Disbelief That Ran Across The Boy's Face Was Somehow More Disturbing Than The Despair It Had Replaced. This Creature Had Given Up Hope Long Ago; He Probably Begged Out Of Habit Rather Than Expectation.
Boys
Long Ago
Expectations
A Thing Of Nature. For Every Push, There Is A Pull. A Consequence.
Consequence
You Said Their Prayer - Is This The Religion You Believe In, Then?" "i Believe In Them All." Vin Frowned. "none Of Them Contradict Each Other?" Sazed Smiled. "oh, Often And Frequently They Do. But, I Respect The Truths Behind Them All.
Prayer
Believe
Said
That's Kind Of What Trust Is, Isn't It? A Willful Self-delusion.
Self
Kind
Delusion
You Cannot Tempt The Hearts Of Men Who Are Pure.
Heart
Men
Pure
What? Is That Boy Crazy?" "most Young Men His Age Are Somewhat Crazy, I Think," Sazed Said With A Smile. "however, This Is Hardly Unexpected. Haven't You Noticed How He Stares At You When You Enter A Room?" "i Thought He Was Just Creepy.
Crazy
Thinking
Boys
You're A Mean Old Man, Your Grace." "and That Is The Way It Should Be." Roial Informed. "mean Young Men Are Trivial, And Kindly Old Men Boring. Here, Let Me Get Us Something To Drink.
Mean
Men
Grace
Fantasy Has Had Some Problems With Being Too Repetitive, In My Opinion. I Try To Read What Other People Are Doing - And Say, 'how Can I Add To This Rather Than Just Recycle It? How Can I Stand On Tolkien's Shoulders Rather Than Stand Tied To His Kneecaps?
People
Trying
Add
Good Men Don't Become Legends," He Said Quietly. "good Men Don't Need To Become Legends." She Opened Her Eyes, Looking Up At Him. "they Just Do What's Right Anyway.
Integrity
Eye
Men
If I Should Die,” Dalinar Said, “then I Would Do So Having Lived My Life Right. It Is Not The Destination That Matters, But How One Arrives There.” “the Codes?” “no. The Way Of Kings.” “that Storming Book.
Kings
Book
Matter
Too Many Scholars Think Of Research As Purely A Cerebral Pursuit. If We Do Nothing With The Knowledge We Gain, Then We Have Wasted Our Study. Books Can Store Information Better Than We Can--what We We Do That Books Cannot Is Interpret. So If One Is Not Going To Draw Conclusions, Then One Might As Well Just Leave The Information In The Texts.
Book
Thinking
Research
At Times, It Seems To Me That To Be Human Is To Want That Which We Cannot Have. For Some, This Is Power. For Me, It Is Peace.
Want
Humans
Seems
Well, Then," He Said. "let's Do It." "what?" Vin Asked. "save The World." Elend Said. "stop The Ash.
Ashes
World
Said
Marsh: Our Best Efforts Were Never Even A Mild Annoyance To The Lord Ruler." Kelsier: Ah, But Being An Annoyance Is Something That I Am Very Good At. In Fact, I'm Far More Than Just A 'mild' Annoyance--people Tell Me I Can Be Downright Frustrating. Might As Well Use This Talent For The Cause Of Good, Eh?
Best Effort
People
Use
You'll Never Learn How To Do Your Endings Until You Finish Your Endings.
Ruin Still Used Reen's Voice-it Was Familiar, Something That Had Always Seemed A Part Of Her. Discovering That It Belonged To That Thing...it Was Like Finding Out That Her Reflection Really Belonged To Someone Else, And That She'd Never Actually Seen Herself.
Reflection
Voice
Ruins
Your Insult Has Offended Me. If We Were At The Peaks, We Would Have To Duel In Traditional Alil'tiki'i Fashion." "which Is What?" Teft Asked. "with Spears?" Rock Laughed. "no, No. We Upon The Peaks Are Not Barbarians Like You Down Here." "how Then?" Kaladin Asked, Genuinely Curious. "well," Rock Said, "is Involving Much Mudbeer And Singing." “how's That A Duel?” "he Who Can Still Sing After The Most Drinks Is Winner. Plus, Soon' Everyone Is So Drunk That They Forget What Argument Was About." Teft Laughed. "beats Knives At Dawn, I Suppose.
Fashion
Rocks
Knives
In The End, I Worry That My Arrogance Shall Destroy Us All.
Worry
Arrogance
Ends
I'm Convinced That Responsibility Is Some Kind Of Psychological Disease.
Responsibility
Brain
Disease
In The End, I Must Proclaim That No Good Can Be Achieved Of False Means. For The Substance Of Our Existence Is Not In The Achievement, But In The Method.
Mean
Achievement
Substance
Men Rarely See Their Own Actions As Unjustified.
Men
Action
Unjustified
My Name Is Stephen Leeds, And I Am Perfectly Sane. My Hallucinations, However, Are All Quite Mad.
Names
Mad
Hallucinations
All Right," Spook Said. He Reached To The Ground, Scooping Up A Pile Of Ash. "let's Just Rub This Into Your Clothing And On Your Face...." Breeze Froze. "i'll Meet You Back Ath The Lair," He Finally Said.
Ashes
Faces
Your Face
It Is You!" The Man Exclaimed. "we Thought You Weren't Coming For Another Week!" "ashe," Sarene Mumbled, "who Is This Lunatic And What Does He Want With Me?
Men
Doe
Want
Sing!" Grandpa Smedry Yelled, His Voice Echoing Down A Hallway To The Right."sing!" If He Breaks Into Song I Think I Might Have To Strangle Myself... I Thought, Cringing.
Song
Thinking
Voice
There's Always Another Secret.' -kelsier
Secret
Kelsier
Vin Shook Her Head. "no, Not Me. I'm Not A Good Person Or A Bad Person. I'm Just Here To Kill Things." Oreseur Watched Her For A Moment, Then Settled Back Down. "regardless," He Said, "you Are Not My Worst Master. That Is, Perhaps, A Compliment Among Our People.
People
Good Person
Compliment
Being Polite To A Person Is Not A Sign Of Respect For Them. It Is Merely A Sign Of A Good Upbringing And A Balanced Nature.
Good Upbringing
Polite
Persons
I'm Not Really Sure Why. But... Do You Stop Loving Someone Just Because They Betray You? I Don't Think So. That's What Makes The Betrayal Hurt So Much - Pain, Frustration, Anger... And I Still Loved Her. I Still Do.
Hurt
Pain
Betrayal
God Is The Creator Of All Things, Right? He Is The Force That Dictates The Laws Of The Universe, And Is Therefore The Ultimate Source Of Ethics. He Is Absolute Morality... We Claim To Be Doing Good. But The Lord Ruler - As God - Defines What Is Good. So By Opposing Him We're Actually Evil. But Since He's Doing The Wrong Thing, Does Evil Actually Count As Good In This Case?
Law
Evil
Doe
And So, Does The Destination Matter? Or Is It The Path We Take? I Declare That No Accomplishment Has Substance Nearly As Great As The Road Used To Achieve It. We Are Not Creatures Of Destinations. It Is The Journey That Shapes Us. Our Callused Feet, Our Backs Strong From Carrying The Weight Of Our Travels, Our Eyes Open With The Fresh Delight Of Experiences Lived.
Strong
Eye
Journey
I've Found You Can Ignore Half Of What Dox Tells You And Not Miss Much-except For Maybe They Occasional Complaint That You're Spending Too Much.
Found You
Missing
Half
No, Not Me.i'm Not A Good Person Or A Bad Person.i'm Just Here To Kill Things.
Good Person
Persons
I've Always Been Very Confident In My Immaturity.
Personality
Immaturity
What Was That?" Galladon Demanded. "i Think I Just Destroyed The Biology Section" Raoden Replied With Wonder.
Thinking
Wonder
Biology
It's Like A Banana Farm For Guns!
Gun
Bananas
Farms
If You Are Anything Like Me --- Clever, Fond Of Goat Cheese, And Devilishly Handsome --- Then You Have Undoubtedly Read Many Books.
Clever
Book
Goats
You Are Out Of Control, Rand Al'thor,' She Declared. I Do What Must Be Done,' He Said, Speaking Now From The Shadows. He Sounded Exhausted. ... I Hate What You Just Did, Rand,' Nynaeve Snarled. 'no, "hate" Isn't Strong Enough. I Loathe What You've Done. What Has Happened To You?' Test Him!' Rand Whispered, Voice Dangerous. 'before Condemning Me, Let Us First Determine If My Sins Have Achieved Anything Beyond My Own Damnation.
Strong
Hate
Voice
The Best Performances, Are Those That Can Be Performed Once.
Performances
Best Performance
Strength Does Not Make One Capable Of Rule; It Makes One Capable Of Service.
Doe
Capable
People Can Do Great Things. However, There Are Somethings They Just Can't Do. I, For Instance, Have Not Been Able To Transform Myself Into A Popsicle, Despite Years Of Effort. I Could, However, Make Myself Insane, If I Wished. (though If I Achieved The Second, I Might Be Able To Make Myself Think I'd Achieved The First....) Anyway, If There's A Lesson To Be Learned, It's This: Great Success Often Depends On Being Able To Distinguish Between The Impossible And The Improbable. Or, In Easier Terms, Distinguishing Between Popsicles And Insanity. Any Questions?
Thinking
Years
Lessons To Be Learned
How Do You Do That?” Mennis Asked, Frowning. “what?” “smile So Much.” “oh, I’m Just A Happy Person.
Frowning
Happy Person
Persons
I Think Given The Choice Between Loving Mare - Betrayal Included - And Never Knowing Her, I'd Chose Love. I Risked, And I Lost, But The Risk Was Still Worth It.
Betrayal
Thinking
Knowing
Somebody Has To Start. Somebody Has To Step Forward And Do What Is Right, Because It Is Right.
Steps
Steps Forward
And Is An Ending Always Bad? It Asked. Must Not All Things, Even Worlds, Someday End?"there Is No Need To Hasten That End," Vin Said. "no Reason To Force It."all Things Are Subject To Their Own Nature, Vin, Ruin Said, Seeming To Flow Around Her. She Could Feel Its Touch Upon Her - Wet And Delicate, Like Mist. You Cannot Blame Me For Being What I Am. Without Me, Nothing Would End. Nothing Could End. And Therefore, Nothing Could Grow. I Am Life. Would You Fight Life Itself?
Fighting
Delicate Life
Needs
How Do You 'accidentally' Kill A Noble Man In His Own Mansion?" "with A Knife In The Chest. Or, Rather, A Pair Of Knives In The Chest.
Men
Noble Man
Knives
Katar," Raoden Called. Yes, My Lord?" Do You Know What It Is? The Secret, I Mean?" Kahar Smiled. "i Havent't Been Hungry In Days, My Lord. It Is The Most Amazing Feeling In The World-i Don't Evern Notice The Pain Anymore." Raoden Nodded, And Kahar Left. The Man Had Come Looking For A Magical Solution To His Woes, But He Had Found An Answer Much More Simple. Pain Lost Its Power When Other Things Became More Importan. Kahar Didn't Need A Potion Or An Aon To Save Him-he Just Needed Something To Do.
Pain
Mean
Simple
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