I know that the easiest method of doing work is to put it off until it seems that it is more worth doing. I understand that work of any form is very off-putting, and generally it is not seen as something to be sought after. And yes, I have my own troubles regarding the willingness to put my highest amount of effort into everything that I do, but after much thought, I have begun to question the core principles of work in general.

Among quite a few other things, I have never fully been able to understand why people think, do, or say that which they do. I have always been the ‘Gifted’ student, the one who is known for doing things differently. I’m quite glad that I can think differently, whether it serves to make me stand out, or to feed my nature of claiming superiority over those who are not too different than I. But rather than questioning my uniqueness, I would prefer to know why more people do not choose the path that I have chosen. What is it that makes people so apt to serve for less than their greatest potential? I know that I have fallen short at many times, but I do know that I have worked very hard, and many others could be at my level (if not some level far greater) if they only chose to put in the efforts that I have. But why, then, is laziness so ingrained into our society that we have to be naturally gifted in order to succeed?

What then, is the point to working hard at all? If there are those who do not have to put in the effort to achieve that which is far beyond the comprehension of others, then why must we-Why must I, work any harder than I choose? Surely, talent is a factor. If not, then what is? What makes us struggle when others succeed? Is it merely a part of the human condition, or are we now pawns to a game played by the elite? Do the works of others inspire us to greatness, or do they manipulate us into thinking that we shall never produce something as great as they could?

If one must question these things, however, one must question that which is far beyond my understanding. And thus, would become a topic which I am unsuited to discuss.

It seems though, that if one were to work hard, that work would be applied to something of the utmost importance to that person. And of all the things which are most important to us as a species, are Science, Culture, and Pleasure. But if culture and science require the greatest efforts of those who employ themselves in their wonder, that leaves Pleasure to the rest of the world.

It is obvious that one would choose something that pleases him to become his profession. For pleasure and work can easily come together. But when people arrive at a job in which they must work hard for something that they do not enjoy, what will become of their work? Will it be meaningless, and to what end? If work overcomes Pleasure, then all passion will evade those who work. Yet, if Pleasure overcomes work, then that will surely be the end of society.

How then, can we indulge in the most primordial and simple of pleasures?

Among all that we as humans participate in, there is one simple concept that defines our purpose in life. That which is Pleasure, that which is Love. As long as man has existed, he has had a love for many things. Love for art, love for indulgence, love for power, and above all, love for one’s self and one’s companion. It is for the love of these things that any man will work hard for anything. And it is that which a man loves, that pleases him to experience.

But love is the most complex and profound of pleasures. And yet, we have known it since the beginning and since we have begun to work for it. It is something that cannot be defined, and yet is so easily recognizable. It is something that one will work for no matter the cost. And, above all, it is what makes us human.