All other careers exist for one purpose only - and that is to support the ultimate career.

I saw a quote attributed to C.S. Lewis:

The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only - and that is to support the ultimate career.

Profoundly true, but did he really say that? It seems too perfect.

Sure enough, while attributed to him, it appears it may be a most excellent summary of a somewhat lengthier expression on page 447 of the 1988 edition of Letters of C.S. Lewis (hat tip Lady Bardfan) in a letter dated 16 March 1955 to a "Mrs Ashton" from Magdalene College, Oxford.

I think I can understand that feeling about a housewife’s work being like that of Sisyphus (who was the stone rolling gentleman). But it is surely in reality the most important work in the world. What do ships, railways, miners, cars, government etc exist for except that people may be fed, warmed, and safe in their own homes? As Dr. Johnson said, “To be happy at home is the end of all human endeavour”. (1st to be happy to prepare for being happy in our own real home hereafter: 2nd in the meantime to be happy in our houses.) We wage war in order to have peace, we work in order to have leisure, we produce food in order to eat it. So your job is the one for which all others exist…