Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
— Theodore Roosevelt
Meaning
Roosevelt is saying the best thing in life isn’t money or praise. It’s getting to do work that matters. When your job or task feels important, and you give it your all, that’s the real reward. It’s not about being rich. It’s about doing something that feels right and useful.
Literary Interpretation
The wording here is simple but strong. He says “the best prize” to show that meaningful work is rare and valuable. The phrase “work hard at work worth doing” repeats the word “work,” which makes the idea stick. It also shows that effort and purpose go hand in hand. Roosevelt believed in service, duty, and action. This line fits with that. He’s not talking about easy jobs. He’s saying hard work is good—but only when it’s for something that matters.
