In education and employment, some people work harder than others. Why do some people work harder than others? Is it always a good thing to work hard?
看到这道题目，不禁让大家会想到最近的两大热词：
内卷：rat race, involution
躺平：lie flat
Some people are always more industrious than others in academic study or at work. On the face of it, there could be several reasons why this is the case, but is it always a good thing?
【解析】
industrious 勤勉的 adj.
on the face of it 乍一看
For the reasons, firstly, there is a clear connection between diligence and success. In this competitive world, being more hard-working, the one is more likely to excel other ambitious ones around and grab more opportunities, thus earning more as a reward. This payoff is a priority to many people as they all have to cover fees for housing, food, and health care, and wish to maintain a reasonable quality of life. Some others simply enjoy what they are studying or working on, to whom passion is the major incentive not to slack off. To know that they have given as much energy as they can to the course or career appealing to them is fulfilling in itself.
【解析】
先回应第·一个问题：why some people work harder?
有些人更勤奋是为了成功，另一些人更勤奋是因为热衷。
diligence 勤奋n.
excel 胜过 v.
grab 抓住 v.
priority 首要任务 n.
maintain 维持 v.
incentive 动力 n.
slack off 懈怠
fulfilling 满足 n.
Although some people advocate industriousness for what it can bring: material gain and a feeling of satisfaction, I would argue that there are some hidden pitfalls if one is too immersed in study or work. For one, people who frequently push themselves to the limit tend to suffer more from stress and fatigue, as too much physical and mental exertion is draining them. For another, it may undermine people’s sense of job security and satisfaction. This is because some of them, eager to get their hard work noticed and recognized, would be plagued and view their study and work less positively if they fail to receive enough appreciation.
【解析】
回应第二个问题：is it always a good thing?
我们当然认可其好处，但不可否认总会存在一些弊病。
industriousness 勤勉 n.
pitfall 隐患 n.
immersed 沉浸的 adj.
fatigue 疲劳 n.
drain 使精疲力竭 v.
undermine 渐渐降低 v.
plague 折磨、苦恼 v.
In conclusion, some people work harder for a reasonable quality of life or self-fulfillment. However, it seems that there would be some problems if they work too hard, and therefore, I think it could be better, sometimes, to cut themselves some slack.
【解析】
cut oneself some slack 放自己一马
