The significant inion found on an old key—“If I rest, I rust”--would be an excellent motto for those who are afflicted with the slightest bit of idleness. 

       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。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, 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.      

      甚至最为勤勉的人也以此作为警示：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。

1. rust [rʌst]

vt. 使生锈；腐蚀

e.g. Brass doesn't rust.

黄铜不生锈。

2. industrious [ɪnˈdʌstriəs]

adj. 勤勉的

e.g. She was an industrious and willing worker.

她是个勤劳肯干的工人。

3. toil [tɔɪl]

v. 苦干，辛勤劳动；艰难地行走；（使）过度劳累；费力地做

n. 苦工；劳累；难事；网

e.g. I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.

我所能奉献的只有热血、辛劳、眼泪与汗水。

4.  vanquish [ˈvæŋkwɪʃ]   

v. 完全征服;彻底击败;战胜

e.g. This response usually persists until the threat is vanquished. 

这种反应通常会持续到威胁消除为止。

5.  spasmodic [spæzˈmɒdɪk]  

adj. 一阵阵的;阵发性的;断断续续的;痉挛(性)的

e.g. There was spasmodic fighting in the area yesterday. 

昨天，那一地区发生过零星的战斗。

6.  eternal [ɪˈtɜːnl]   

adj. 不朽的;永久的;永恒的;无休止的;永不停止的;没完没了的

n. 永恒的事物;Eternal 上帝;与定冠词the 连用

e.g. Eternal glory to the people's heroes! 

人民英雄永垂不朽！

7.  vigilance [ˈvɪdʒɪləns]   

n. 用心，小心戒备，小心谨慎，非常小心，谨小慎微;警醒（症）；失眠症

e.g. Constant vigilance is necessary in order to avoid accidents. 

为了避免意外事故，必须经常保持警惕。