Labor Day marks the end of summer and the start of fall, but it’s much more than just a long weekend. Since 1894, when President Grover Cleveland signed it into law, the holiday has been dedicated to honoring the American worker. Samuel Gompers, founder of the American Federation of Labor, described it as a day for unity and progress rather than conflict.
Over the years, traditions have evolved from parades and speeches to cookouts, fireworks, and quick getaways. Yet the core meaning of the holiday remains the same. It’s a time to pause, recognize the effort that keeps our country running, and express gratitude to employees, coworkers, and families.
This collection of Labor Day quotes offers words to inspire and uplift. You’ll find famous Labor Day quotes and popular Labor Day captions for businesses and social media. Whether you want motivation, appreciation, or a lighthearted post, these inspiring words capture the spirit of the holiday.
Inspiring Labor Day Quotes to Honor America’s Hard Work
Hard work is one of the pillars the country was built upon. That’s what the American dream is all about, isn’t it? It’s the belief that anyone from any background can lead a successful life through hard work and drive. Labor Day is the perfect time to recognize this opportunity available in the United States. It can help us to remember that with a little effort, anything is possible.
The following famous Labor Day quotes mirror these ideals and give American workers a dose of inspiration to keep moving toward their goals.
- “America is successful because of the hard work and creativity and enterprise of our people.” —George W. Bush
- “Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds.” —Gordon B. Hinckley
- “Nothing ever comes to me that is worth having, except as a result of hard work.” —Booker T. Washington, Up From Slavery
- “The American dream is still alive out there, and hard work will get you there. You don’t necessarily need to have an Ivy League education or to have millions of dollars startup money. It can be done with an idea, hard work and determination.” —Bill Rancic
- “I do not know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe.” —Margaret Thatcher
- “Do not whine…. Do not complain. Work harder.” —Joan Didion, Blue Nights
- “Hard work keeps the wrinkles out of the mind and spirit.” —Helena Rubinstein
- “No great achiever—even those who made it seem easy—ever succeeded without hard work.” —Jonathan Sacks
- “No great achievement is possible without persistent work.” —Bertrand Russel, The Conquest of Happiness
- “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” —Harry S. Truman
Related: 36 Empowering ‘Know Your Worth’ Quotes
‘Happy Labor Day’ Quotes for Your Weekend Celebrations
Labor Day serves an important social and economic purpose. Yet it’s also a chance for us all to celebrate and unwind. Since many companies offer employees the day off, this end-of-summer holiday is the perfect time for a beach getaway, backyard barbecue or even for red, white and blue merriment at parades and festivals.
These Labor Day weekend quotes will get you in the mood for all the festivities. Or, if you’re looking forward to the bliss of enjoying a couple of hours off the clock and relaxing, there are a few calming clips for you as well.
- “Hard work should be rewarded by good food.” —Ken Follett, The Pillars of the Earth
- “Celebration is a kind of food we all need in our lives.” —Corita Kent, Jan Steward, Learning by Heart
- “Labor Day means grilling outside!” —Katie Lee
- “Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.” —Maya Angelou, Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now
- “He enjoys true leisure who has time to improve his soul’s estate.” —Henry David Thoreau
- “The human race should just slow down [and] think [about] what it is doing.” —Michael Palin
- “Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast—you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.” —Eddie Cantor
- “We will be more successful in all our endeavors if we can let go of the habit of running all the time and take little pauses to relax and recenter ourselves. And we’ll also have a lot more joy in living.” —Thich Nhat Hanh
- “Have regular hours for work and play, make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well.” —Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
- “Work, love and play are the great balance wheels of man’s being.” —Orison Swett Marden, Love’s Way
Related: 66 Money Quotes to Help Motivate You and Maximize Wealth
Labor Day Sayings You’ll Want to Share
For the laborers who came before you and for those who work alongside you, you may be inclined to share some words of celebration this Labor Day. Whether you’re posting online or sending a quick message, these original SUCCESS® quotes offer a nice gesture. They touch on the value of hard work and the fun aspect of Labor Day and show gratitude toward all laborers.
- “To all the people who work hard in silence to build a life for themselves and provide for their families, happy Labor Day.”
- “Labor Day: the best excuse to unplug and overindulge.”
- “Labor is the only thing standing between dreams and accomplishments.”
- “What better time to enjoy the fruits of your labor?”
- “Labor Day reminds us to look back and see just how far we’ve come.”
- “Americans have certainly earned this day of rest.”
- “Hard work is our most powerful superpower.”
- “With a dream, a pinch of hard work and a lot of opportunity, the sky is the limit for American workers.”
- “Taking time to rest is an essential part of progress. Labor Day is a reminder of that.”
- “Work hard, play hard—the perfect Labor Day motto.”
Labor Day Captions for Businesses
Labor Day provides the perfect opportunity for businesses to express gratitude to their employees and all the workers across the nation. Many companies give employees the day off to thank them for their continued dedication. A kind word also goes a long way in helping businesses engage and appreciate their teams and customers.
These short Labor Day sayings can be used as social media captions or in emails. Or, use them in personal notes distributed to the team. They get to the root of what the holiday is all about and remind businesses how valuable hard work truly is.
- “This Labor Day, let’s remember that hardworking men and women are the backbone of our country.” —Thomas Perez
- “Labor is the foundation of all. Without labor, and without great labor, progress is impossible.” —Robert Green Ingersoll, The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll
- “This Labor Day, I hope all Americans remember that the hard work and sacrifice of working men and women made this country great.” —James P. Hoffa
- “To fulfill a dream, to be allowed to sweat over lovely labor, to be given the chance to create, is the meat and potatoes of life. The money is the gravy.” —Bette Davis
- “Labor Day… is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race or nation.” —Samuel Gompers
- “It’s not about money or connections—it’s the willingness to outwork and outlearn everyone when it comes to your business.” —Mark Cuban
- “It was working men and women who made the 20th century the American century. It was the labor movement that helped secure so much of what we take for granted today.” —Barack Obama
- “Employees are a company’s greatest asset—they’re your competitive advantage.” —Anne Mulcahy
- “Everyone wants to be appreciated, so if you appreciate someone, don’t keep it a secret.” —Mary Kay Ash, Mary Kay, You Can Have It All
- “Don’t forget, a person’s greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.” —H. Jackson Brown, Life’s Little Instruction Book
Sayings About Labor Day to Inspire Employees
Without workers, there would be no products, no services, no companies, no America. Hard-working employees deserve recognition and praise, and it can help inspire them to continue to show up and support our country, day in and day out.
Labor Day quotes for employees are meant to inspire all the men and women who are chasing after their dreams, solving problems, offering unique skills and pushing us toward a better future. Show them their work is appreciated and makes a difference with quotes like these.
- “No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” —Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love
- “I didn’t get there by wishing for it or hoping for it, but by working for it.” —Estée Lauder
- “Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice, and, above all, don’t let anyone limit your dreams.” —Donovan Bailey
- “No matter what your work today, if it is worthwhile at all—time to plan it out, time to do it well and time to finish it is your day’s greatest gift and your greatest job.” —George Matthew Adams, You Can
- “There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, with belief, with confidence and trust in yourself and those around you, there are no limits.” —Michael Phelps, No Limits: The Will to Succeed
- “Your work matters a great deal to God, to others and to our world. There is no ordinary work.” —Tom Nelson, Work Matters
- “Your words matter. Your work matters. You matter.” —Meghan Lawson
- “There were some tough days, there were some good days, but you have to just keep going, keep dreaming and keep believing.” —Bukayo Saka
- “It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.” —Theodore Roosevelt
- “Just try new things. Don’t be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and soar, all right?” —Michelle Obama
Labor Day: Honoring Both Work and Rest
Before you embark on your Labor Day weekend adventures—whether that’s jetting off or simply posting up on the couch—take a moment to appreciate the significance of the day and the work that it took to earn it. It’s more than a long weekend. It’s a tribute to perseverance, purpose and all the people who keep our country running.
As summer winds down, let this holiday be both a celebration of rest and a recognition of effort. However you spend it, we hope your Labor Day is filled with gratitude for the work that’s been done and inspiration to keep moving forward.
Photo by Ground Picture/Shutterstock
