The effort required by work is not only due to the cost of incorporating intelligence (thinking) and will (wanting), but also to the resistance that matter presents to being dominated, formed, or defined. The worker, when working with a material, is not left unchanged: he or she acquires experience, knowledge, perseverance, diligence, creativity… qualities that, in turn, influence the completion of the next task.

All work is a human action that consists of producing something, that is, providing the being with a certain perfection it lacked before. The fact that the existence and essence of a job depends on the person implies that: a) there are no jobs more important than others; their value depends on how they are performed; b) no two jobs are alike, as the agents are unique individuals, and from that nature, they endorse their work; and, c) a job well done can be attributed the transcendental properties of all beings: truth, goodness, unity, and beauty.

Truth: When a job fully displays its faculties, aptitudes, and virtues, it manifests itself as more truthful. On the contrary, a job is false when it is mediocre, done in a Creole way: the person participates only halfway. When there is truth in one’s work, the author gains authority, as the recognition achieved through their performance inspires their colleagues and leads them to address matters not directly related to work.

The goodness of a job is valued in proportion to the fulfillment of its purpose or end: to morally and technically satisfy the needs of its recipients. Thus, the good or service intentionally offered contributes to the well-being and growth of the recipients. A product made exclusively for one’s own benefit or poorly made will affect some part of the “work” chain, harming third parties.

Beauty is manifested in work when it harmoniously combines the product with attention to the details that accompany, complement, and complete it: presentation, punctuality, order, cordiality, good manners, quality, among many others. In short, the intentional care taken with the brushstrokes adds value to the product and reflects genuine interest and respect for the people to whom it is addressed. A work testifies to beauty when the author has been able to achieve the height of intelligibility in their work, that is, that it can be understood, that it is simple to understand, that it serves effectively; and the more their personal participation has been invested in its production.

Unity is evident when there is no division between the work and its author. The more faithful the work is to themselves and to the mission they are called upon to fulfill, through their work, in society, the intention and workmanship they put into it will have the same coherent behavior, regardless of where they are or to whom the work is addressed.

Unity in work is the property that directly addresses justice by giving each person their due. The recipient has expectations and commitments to honor derived from the work they expect. A job becomes corrupt when these are not fulfilled by stopping at what pleases, while the duty is left unfinished or delivered late. To receive what is due, one must resort to recommendations, flattery, supplications, and, in the extreme, offer commensurate gifts.