This paper reflects and explores the grand narrative on work set by Adam Smith and Karl Marx during the early and later modernity. It tires to push forward the idea that Marx and Smith are one of the major influencers to the contemporary notion on work. It also tries to show the major differences and similarities between these two authors. Moreover, this paper seeks to point out the failures of idealism on work and tries to put forward critics of contemporary society. Maybe in this conduct idealism could be overcome in future and the world could be built on material, actual, needs, not on ideology.