Protestant work ethic

Cultural  

1. A view of life that promotes hard work and self-discipline as a means to material prosperity. It is called Protestant because some Protestant groups believe that such prosperity is a sign of God's grace.

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Example Sentences

From the Protestant work ethic to “rage quitting,” American attitudes about their work are driven by its promise of prosperity—and its precarious nature, writes Lindsay Ellis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 5, 2025

As some have pointed out, the Protestant work ethic is still very much alive today.

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2024

Moyes, 53, credits her Protestant work ethic for her success, which was evident from an early age.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2023

Her chapter on personal time management, for example, moves from the Protestant work ethic to what she calls “productivity bros” to the standardized A-F grading system to eugenics and scientific racism.

From Washington Post • Mar. 3, 2023

Or a commitment to the Protestant work ethic?

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides