If I Rest, I Rust

如果我休息，我就会生锈

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The significant inscription found on an old key--“If I rest, I rust”--

在一把旧钥匙上发现了一则意义深远的铭文——如果我休息，我就会生锈。

would be an excellent motto for those who are afflicted with the slightest bit of idleness.

对于那些懒散而烦恼的人来说，这将是至理名言。

Even the most industrious person might adopt it with advantage to serve as a reminder that,

甚至最为勤勉的人也以此作为警示：

if one allows his faculties to rest, like the iron in the unused key, they will soon show signs of rust and, ultimately, cannot do the work required of them.

如果一个人有才能而不用，就像废弃钥匙上的铁一样，这些才能就会很快生锈，并最终无法完成安排给自己的工作。