The sweat of hard work is not to be displayed. It is much more graceful to appear favored by the gods.

Maxine Hong Kingston
About This Quote

This quote is a reminder that the sweat of hard work should not be displayed. It is much more graceful to appear favored by the gods. I think this quote is quite modern, and may date back to the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans. For example, in Greek mythology, there was Hercules, who was given a girdle of strength that he had to don while he was working.

It was rumored that when he finally took it off, he became weak and helpless. The modern meaning of this quote is probably even more applicable to our lives than the original. We spend so much time working: commuting here and there, sitting down in front of a computer or working out in a gym.

We think we’re showing off by working hard; we should really be showing off by not working hard!

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