Verses about hard work:
1. "Hoeing" by Li Shen of the Tang Dynasty
It was noon on the day of hoeing, and sweat dripped from the soil. Who knows that every meal on the plate is hard work?
Translation: Farmers are hoeing under the scorching sun at noon, sweat dripping from their bodies on the ground beneath the seedlings. Who knows that every grain of food on the plate was earned by farmers through hard work?
2. "Silkworm Woman" by Zhang Yu of the Northern Song Dynasty
I went to the city yesterday and came back full of tears. Those who are covered with silkworms are not silkworm farmers.
Translation: A woman who raises silkworms went to the city to sell silk yesterday. When I came back, I was in tears. Because she saw that the rich people everywhere were all wearing silk and satin, but for people like her who worked hard to raise silkworms, no one sympathized with her.
3. "Compassion for the Farmers" by Li Shen of the Tang Dynasty
Sow a grain of millet in spring and harvest ten thousand grains in autumn. There is no idle land all over the world, and farmers are still starving to death.
Translation: Farmers plant grains of millet in spring and receive a lot of food in autumn. Although the land across the country was cultivated by farmers until not a single piece of land was barren, the hard-working farmers still did not get food and eventually starved to death.
The significance of labor:
1. Labor creates material wealth. Through labor, people transform natural resources into items and commodities for human use, thereby creating abundant material wealth. For example, farmers work on the land, plant crops, and harvest food. Through this labor, people obtain a basic source of food.
Workers manufacture machines, vehicles and various tools, creating more productivity and convenience for mankind. Through procurement, transportation and sales, merchants enable materials to circulate efficiently throughout society and meet people's diverse needs.
2. Labor creates spiritual wealth. Labor not only creates material wealth, but also creates rich spiritual wealth for mankind. For example, teachers lay the foundation for students' growth and development through their hard work.
Scientific researchers have promoted human understanding and understanding of natural and social phenomena through research. Cultural workers provide people with the enjoyment of art and entertainment through creation and performance. These spiritual wealth provide a powerful driving force for the diversity and progress of human society.