John is a hardworking woodcutter. He worked for a company for five years, but has not been promoted. His new colleague Bill was enhanced though he moved into the company just one year. This caused John’s strong dissatisfaction, so he went to ask the boss for a reason. The boss said: “The amount you are logging now is as much as five years ago. If you increase the logging quantity, we will be happy to promote you.” After hearing this, John worked harder, and spent more time to work, but he still can’t cut down more trees.

John deeply confused. he found Bill and modestly asked him how to cut down more trees. Bill said: “I will rest for two minutes after every tree be cut down, and sharp my axe. When is the last time you grind your axe?” This problem like a bullet hit John’s vital part. He got the answer he wanted.

The frog, swimming footloose and fancy-free in the increasingly heated water, seems safe, but in reality perilous. Under the influence of a strong inertia inherent in human nature, are you and me changed into the frog? The society is developing rapidly. What we have studied may have been not keep up with the pace of the Times. Life need to keep learning, to learn and to learn!

Let us ask ourselves: when is the last time you grind the axe? The past glory and education doesn’t work, we must continue to grind the axe. Remember the old saying: diligence is like spring seedlings, not seen growing, but grow up every day! Indolence is like whetstone, and not seen wasting, but drop off every day!

Translated from 《我们必须不断的磨斧头》。