This essay was written by Tran, van Dien in 1960.
Interest is an
efficient motive of human actions. We generally do what we like; because when
doing what we like, we can carry on our longer and therefore, get more happy
results. But somebody holds that: "The secret of life is not to do what we
like but to like what we do". Is this sentence right or not?
Body of the essay:
I. To do what we like:
- What we like, is
generally bad things, because they are aroused by low desires and passions. Our
whimsical nature often leads us to desire what is forbidden and obnoxious.
Especially those who do not have a strong will and a well-trained mind, may
often like wrong things.
- Furthermore, our desires
do not last. Today we may desire what yesterday we hated; yesterday we hated
what we like today. So, if we only do what we like, our work may be left
unfinished easily.
Therefore, it is much
better to like what we do.
II. To like what we do:
-
What we do here means what we ought to do, i.e. our duties, our
daily work. They are really heavy and
require a continual effort but effort can be made only through the warmth of
desires and passions. By liking what we do, we shall find joy in our work and
be able to get over difficulties.
Conclusion:
Most of us generally act
under the impulse of passions and temporary desires. It is the reason why we
often experience failures and our effort never comes to a happy end. Living in
society, we have many duties and responsibilities towards society and our
happiness does not consist in ephemeral pleasures but in fulfillment of our
daily duties. So, let us bear in mind this golden rule: "the secret of
life is not to do what we like but to like what we do".
