Shoemaker Quotes

“Next morning, when Semyon woke up, the children were still asleep and his wife had gone over to the neighbour's to borrow some bread. Only the stranger was sitting on the bench, wearing the old trousers and shirt and looking up. His face was brighter than the evening before. Semyon said, 'Well, my friend. The belly needs food and the body clothes. We all have to earn a living, so what sort of work can you do?'
'I can't do anything.'
Semyon was amazed and replied, 'If a man has the will he can learn anything.'
'Yes, men work for their living, so I'll work too.'
'What's your name?'
'Mikhail.'
'Well, Mikhail, if you don't want to tell us about yourself that's your affair. But we have to earn our living. If you do as I tell you I'll see you have enough to eat.'
'God bless you! I'll learn how to work, just tell me what to do.'
Semyon took a piece of yarn, wound it round his fingers and twisted it.
'It's not hard, just watch...'
Mikhail watched and right away he caught the knack, winding the yarn and twisting it just like Semyon.
Then Semyon showed him how to wax it and Mikhail understood at once. Then he showed him how to draw it through and how to stitch. Again Mikhail immediately understood.
Whatever Semyon showed him he mastered right away and within three days was working as if he had been making shoes all his life. He would work without any let-up and ate very little. Only when one job was finished would he stop for a moment and silently look up. He never went out, only spoke when he really had to, and he never joked or laughed.”
― Leo Tolstoy, How Much Land Does a Man Need?

“En Skoemager maa og tildeels være Theologus; saa at han veed at giøre Forskiel imellem Religions-Secter: Thi eet er at arbejde for en Orthodox, som vil have tynde og undertiden forkeerte Saaler [på forkerte eller vendte såler er syningerne indad], efterdi han bruger ofte sine Fødder til Dands; et andet er at giøre Skoe for en Kiætter, sær en Fanatico, som fordømmer Dands, og heller vil have stærke Saaler, for med des større Eftertryk at kunde træde paa Verdens Forfængelighed.”
― Ludvig Holberg, Epistler

“En Skoemager maa ogsaa være vel dreven udi Philosophia morali, og ingen Læsning er ham meere fornøden end Senecæ Tractat de Ira [Seneca's skrift Om vreden], som viser, hvorledes man maa bevæbne sig med Taalmodighed: Thi af alle Haandverks-Mænd er ingen, hvis Arbejde bliver meere mynstret og igiennemheglet end en Skoemagers.”
― Ludvig Holberg, Epistler