How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live! – Henry David Thoreau, journal, 1851 August 19th

All my books are up, my pictures hung, my standing desk in position, chairs and lounge, et cetera. Everything harmonizes with the fresco. I could not have a pleasanter study. – Edward A. Lawrence, Jr., letter to his mother Margaret Woods Lawrence, 1889 Sept

And the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. – Bible, Exodus XXXII

I am writing this at my standing desk, which is against the window. The window offers a pleasant prospect over the lime trees and sun-bathed hills — delightful natural scenery. – Friedrich Nietzsche, letter to sister Elisabeth, 1862, wording slightly altered