The article presents a comparative analysis of axiological values embedded in paroemiological units of the English and Japanese languages, in total 100:100 units. The aim of the study was to determine the similarities and differences in linguocultural features of the collective worldview of LABOUR ACTIVITY. The research methods included differential sampling of proverbs corresponding to the conceptual field ‘Labour’, their semantic categorisation with the subsequent allocation of three subcategories: ‘Labour activity’, ‘Analysis of external factors’ and ‘Achievements’, as well as their comparative analysis. As a result, it was found that the common values in both languages are training and developing professional skills, achieving a high level of mastery and continuous improvement. Similar personality-centred motivational components were close attention to one's health, critical attitude to personal results and self-analysis. Distinctive features in the paroemiological fund of the Japanese language are explicitly expressed resistive properties of personality, necessary for achieving significant results in labour activity: courage and determination, willpower, vision, purposefulness, in some cases asceticism and self-restraint. Meanwhile, the English proverbs place emphasis on strategic thinking development, proactivity and foresight. The proverbs in both languages point to the need of market and competitor analysis. Furthermore, in the Japanese paroemiae we find statements about the importance of taking into account intercultural differences, building harmonious relations with colleagues, observing rules and hierarchy in the organisational environment; in the English proverbs – the importance of pooling resources during the economic crisis.