Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit.
Meaning of the quote
Most people don't put in their best effort at work. They do the minimum to keep their jobs and get just enough pay to not quit. They're not trying to excel or reach their full potential. They're just content with getting by.
About George Carlin
George Carlin was an iconic American stand-up comedian known for his dark humor, social commentary, and influential role in the counterculture comedy movement. He was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show, hosted the first episode of Saturday Night Live, and received numerous awards, including five Grammys, for his groundbreaking stand-up specials.
More quotes from George Carlin
If it’s true that our species is alone in the universe, then I’d have to say the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Well, if crime fighters fight crime and fire fighters fight fire, what do freedom fighters fight? They never mention that part to us, do they?
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn’t mean the circus has left town.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Death is caused by swallowing small amounts of saliva over a long period of time.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
You know the good part about all those executions in Texas? Fewer Texans.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Not only do I not know what’s going on, I wouldn’t know what to do about it if I did.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
One can never know for sure what a deserted area looks like.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
I’m always relieved when someone is delivering a eulogy and I realize I’m listening to it.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle. I’m sure it made the work seem that much more urgent.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
The other night I ate at a real nice family restaurant. Every table had an argument going.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me – they’re cramming for their final exam.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
I think it would be interesting if old people got anti-Alzheimer’s disease where they slowly began to recover other people’s lost memories.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
If we could just find out who’s in charge, we could kill him.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
If you can’t beat them, arrange to have them beaten.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
When you’re born you get a ticket to the freak show. When you’re born in America, you get a front row seat.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Dusting is a good example of the futility of trying to put things right. As soon as you dust, the fact of your next dusting has already been established.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
What does it mean to pre-board? Do you get on before you get on?
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Standing ovations have become far too commonplace. What we need are ovations where the audience members all punch and kick one another.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Weather forecast for tonight: dark.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Electricity is really just organized lightning.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
By and large, language is a tool for concealing the truth.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don’t have as many people who believe it.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, “Where’s the self-help section?” She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
People who say they don’t care what people think are usually desperate to have people think they don’t care what people think.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
At a formal dinner party, the person nearest death should always be seated closest to the bathroom.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Think off-center.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
I recently went to a new doctor and noticed he was located in something called the Professional Building. I felt better right away.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
“I am” is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that “I do” is the longest sentence?
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
I would never want to be a member of a group whose symbol was a guy nailed to two pieces of wood.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Frisbeetarianism is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
I’m completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
When you step on the brakes your life is in your foot’s hands.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I’m just not close enough to get the job done.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Always do whatever’s next.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
I’m not concerned about all hell breaking loose, but that a PART of hell will break loose… it’ll be much harder to detect.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
I think people should be allowed to do anything they want. We haven’t tried that for a while. Maybe this time it’ll work.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
There’s no present. There’s only the immediate future and the recent past.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
The reason I talk to myself is that I’m the only one whose answers I accept.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
The status quo sucks.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
You know an odd feeling? Sitting on the toilet eating a chocolate candy bar.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
Religion is just mind control.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
When someone is impatient and says, “I haven’t got all day,” I always wonder, How can that be? How can you not have all day?
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)
In comic strips, the person on the left always speaks first.
American stand-up comedian (1937-2008)