Who really said it
Graham writes this in How to Work Hard, his June 2021 essay on selecting and pursuing demanding work.
Last verified 9 Nov 2026 · how we verify · spot an error?
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Verified quote & credit
“The best test of whether it's worthwhile to work on something is whether you find it interesting” Paul Graham — How to Work Hard (June 2021)
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Still under copyright (rights held by Paul Graham.). A short, credited quote is generally fine for talks, teaching, and internal decks; for commercial, published, or large-scale reuse, get permission.
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In context
Evoking the world of Paul Graham — Programmer, writer and investor. Theme: "The best test of whether it's worthwhile to work on something is whether you find it interesting". Atmospheric and restrained, cinematic directional light, a muted period-appropriate palette, fine grain and texture. Compose with generous empty space for the quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
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Provenance
you find it interesting
A brief literal excerpt from the fetched source; the explanation above identifies the full passage and its context.
Read the sourceHow we verified this
The identified source is a publication from 1931 or later. The passage is treated as in copyright; only a brief source excerpt is reproduced here.
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Context
He treats sustained interest as useful evidence when judging what deserves effort, while immediately adding that the test depends on honesty with oneself. It is advice about selecting substantial work, not a promise that every passing curiosity is equally valuable.
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The author-hosted essay contains the exact sentence in its discussion of interest as a test for choosing work.
His own biography identifies him as a programmer, writer, investor and Y Combinator co-founder.
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The author
For writers & researchers
Paul Graham. How to Work Hard. June 2021. Author-hosted essay.. Consulted via the linked source.
Quotle.info. “Who really said ‘The best test of whether it's worthwhile to work on something is whether you find it interesting’?” Last verified 9 Nov 2026. https://quotle.info/who-said/the-best-test-of-whether-its-worthwhile-to-work-on/