If you’re reading this then you are probably a craftsman — or a craftswoman. That makes you special, because you have the gift of making and inspiring others. I put together some quotes from people who admire your gift. I hope you enjoy these quotes for woodworkers and craftsmen. Feel free to use the comments field to share your favorite quotes or sayings related to crafts and woodworking — or just making in general.
“When the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.”
Abraham Maslow
“You will find something more in woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters.”
Saint Berna
“He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.”
St. Francis of Assissi
“One only need two tools in life: WD-40 to make things go, and duct tape to make them stop.”
unknown; attributed to G. Weilacher
“The carpenter is not the best who makes more chips than all the rest.”
Arthur Guiterman
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
Abraham Lincoln
“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
The Bible – Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)
“He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.”
The Bible – Exodus 31:1-6 (NASB)
“When a work lifts your spirits and inspires bold and noble thoughts in you, do not look for any other standard to judge by: the work is good, the product of a master craftsman.”
Jean de la Bruyere
“The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.”
Martin Luther
“Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.”
Johannes Brahms
“We don’t value craftsmanship anymore! All we value is ruthless efficiency, and I say we deny our own humanity that way! Without appreciation for grace and beauty, there’s no pleasure in creating things and no pleasure in having them! Our lives are made drearier, rather than richer! How can a person take pride in his work when skill and care are considered luxuries! We’re not machines! We have a human need for craftsmanship!”
Bill Watterson, created Calvin and Hobbes
“There are two men inside the artist, the poet and the craftsman. One is born a poet. One becomes a craftsman.”
Emile Zola
Thanks for taking a minute to read these inspiring quotes. And don’t forget to share similar quotes that inspire you.
If you’d like to get monthly projects and inspiration in your inbox, please consider joining my newsletter. Go to the form below to sign up. When you sign up, I’ll send you a free Shop Safety & Tool Checklist for free.
Happy woodworking and crafting!
Are you starting up a new shop? Want to work safer in your shop? To help you answer these questions I've put together a 2-part checklist -- Home Shop Safety & Tool Checklist.
I will also send you updates of my latest woodworking and DIY projects. You can get all this by subscribing to my free email newsletter.
