Protestant work ethic
Diligence as virtue
The Protestant work ethic is the belief that hard work, discipline, and frugality are moral virtues and signs of spiritual worth.
The concept traces to Calvinist doctrine suggesting worldly success indicated divine favor.
Now used broadly, often critically, to describe cultures that valorize productivity and self-denial: Americans are raised on the Protestant work ethic.
Someone might invoke it to explain why they feel guilty relaxing.
Regulating one's own behavior
- diligenceCareful, persistent effort
- punctualityBeing on time
- conscientiousnessCareful attention to duty
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
dedication · orderliness · self-control · commitment · focus · responsibility · steadfastness · willpower
Sustained strenuous effort
- diligenceCareful, persistent effort
- productivityOutput relative to input
- toilStrenuous, prolonged effort
- laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth
perseverance · assiduousness · enterprise · tenacity · exertion · tirelessness · busyness · workaholic
Predestinarian Protestant theology
- predestinationDivinely predetermined fate
- PuritanismProtestant reform movement
- ProvidenceGod's protective care personified
- LutheranismProtestant tradition emphasizing grace
asceticism · calling · vocation · grace · elect · moral duty · Reformation · stewardship
Advancement through demonstrated ability
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- ambitionDesire for achievement
- achievementAccomplished goal or deed
- successFavorable outcome attained
career · entrepreneurship · capitalism · upward mobility · bootstrap · American Dream · individualism · goal-oriented
Careful use of resources
- savingReserving for future use
- economySystem of trade and production
- budgetingAllocating funds systematically
- parsimonyExcessive frugality with resources
self-denial · austerity · simplicity · moderation · prudence · conservation · resourcefulness · abstinence
self-discipline
Regulating one's own behavior
- diligenceCareful, persistent effort
- punctualityBeing on time
- conscientiousnessCareful attention to duty
perseverance · dedication · orderliness · self-control · commitment · focus · responsibility · steadfastness · willpower · meticulousness
hard work
Sustained strenuous effort
- diligenceCareful, persistent effort
- productivityOutput relative to input
- toilStrenuous, prolonged effort
labor · perseverance · assiduousness · enterprise · tenacity · exertion · tirelessness · busyness · workaholic · striving
Calvinism
Predestinarian Protestant theology
- predestinationDivinely predetermined fate
- PuritanismProtestant reform movement
- ProvidenceGod's protective care personified
Lutheranism · asceticism · calling · vocation · grace · elect · moral duty · Reformation · stewardship · divine favor
meritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- ambitionDesire for achievement
- achievementAccomplished goal or deed
success · career · entrepreneurship · capitalism · upward mobility · bootstrap · American Dream · individualism · goal-oriented · professionalism
thrift
Careful use of resources
- savingReserving for future use
- economySystem of trade and production
- budgetingAllocating funds systematically
parsimony · self-denial · austerity · simplicity · moderation · prudence · conservation · resourcefulness · abstinence · minimalism
- ProtestantismLutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheranism
- American ProtestantismBaptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopalian
- moral philosophymoral philosophy, moral judgment, moral reasoning, moral principles, moral conduct
- ReformationMartin Luther, John Calvin, 95 Theses, Luther, Wittenberg
- German ChristianityMartin Luther, Luther, Lutheran, Lutherans, Lutheran Church
- German ProtestantismMartin Luther, 95 Theses, Lutheranism, Reformation, Wittenberg
Protestant work ethicidleness
State of doing nothing
hedonism · laziness · sloth · epicureanism · indolence
Protestant work ethicanti-materialism
Opposition to prioritizing possessions
anti-capitalism · bohemianism · communism · socialism · degrowth
Protestant, Protestantism, worked, working, worker, workers, workable, ethic, ethics