Hard Work Is a Virtue(lemire.me)
lemire.me
Hard Work Is a Virtue
https://lemire.me/blog/2025/09/21/hard-work-is-a-virtue/
7 comments
The general idea is that everyone working hard leads to a rapidly developing society that in theory benefits everyone for a better life.
Does it actually pan out like that? To a certain extent, yes. The last few decades have seen massive numbers of people pulled out of poverty, improving health outcomes and improved standards of living.
Does it actually pan out like that? To a certain extent, yes. The last few decades have seen massive numbers of people pulled out of poverty, improving health outcomes and improved standards of living.
If it makes workers miserable for much of their life, then it's still a net loss for individuals doing the work.
i think working hard is a smart thing to do - but be intentional about it! Don’t just work hard to make your boss happy, that’s dumb.
Work hard to develop the skills you need for the job you want, even if it’s not fun. Work hard to get a job at an employer that pays well and offers good work life balance. Work hard to carve out time for your family. Work hard at the hobbies that bring you joy. Work hard to maintain friendships that matter to you. Work hard to be a good parent, spouse, friend, neighbor.
To me, “work hard” just means “don’t half ass life”. For some reason a lot of people associate working hard with “slaving away for an employer for 40 years while ignoring family”.
You only get 1 life, don’t waste it all at the beach doing nothing.
Work hard to develop the skills you need for the job you want, even if it’s not fun. Work hard to get a job at an employer that pays well and offers good work life balance. Work hard to carve out time for your family. Work hard at the hobbies that bring you joy. Work hard to maintain friendships that matter to you. Work hard to be a good parent, spouse, friend, neighbor.
To me, “work hard” just means “don’t half ass life”. For some reason a lot of people associate working hard with “slaving away for an employer for 40 years while ignoring family”.
You only get 1 life, don’t waste it all at the beach doing nothing.
I totally agree with this, I just want to add:
For fun, working hard can be a lot of fun. I get very bored when I don't, wathever kind of 'work' I'm doing.
And also, the harder I work, the more capabilities I have, this allow me to explore new things that are very fun, it would not be possible without the initial work.
For fun, working hard can be a lot of fun. I get very bored when I don't, wathever kind of 'work' I'm doing.
And also, the harder I work, the more capabilities I have, this allow me to explore new things that are very fun, it would not be possible without the initial work.
Do I have some legal or moral responsibility to work hard? So that GDP goes up or the company I work for gets a higher market cap?
Heck no.
Enjoying life and spending time with loved ones is a virtue. Hard Work just gets in the way of that.