CAPITAL VIRTUE 4 : DILIGENCE
“ALLEGORY OF THE MAJESTIC SISYPHUS BEETLE”
#Diligence@FA

"Strive with Diligence" are said to be the last words spoken by Buddha in the 5th century BC.
The phrase "strive with diligence" is often associated with Buddha's teachings on the path to enlightenment. In Buddhist tradition, it is believed that the path to enlightenment involves diligent effort.

Diligence is a capital virtue that refers to the quality of being hardworking, persistent, and focused in one's efforts to achieve a goal or complete a task. It involves the willingness to expend time and effort in a dedicated and disciplined manner, even when faced with obstacles or setbacks.

In the composition we see the "magnificent flightless dung beetle" (real name!). This dung beetle has remarkable capabilities.
As opposed to wings, flightless dung beetles have a tightly sealed elytra (wing case), which creates a convective cooling system where heat is drawn away from their body. Thus, they are perfectly suited to hot regions. How cool is that ?
It is not only one of the largest dung beetles in the world, but it can roll up to 50 times their own weight. And this is what they do all day long … rolling dung balls …

Dung beetles in general roll dung balls as a means of transportation for their offspring and as a source of food for themselves.

When one looks at the dung beetle, one cannot avoid thinking of Sisyphus. In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was a cunning king who was punished by the gods for his deceitful and arrogant behavior. His punishment was to

forever roll a large boulder up a hill, only to have it roll back down just before reaching the summit, forcing him to repeat the task for eternity. The myth of Sisyphus has been used as a metaphor for the futility of certain types of work or tasks that seem to have no end or purpose.

And do we all not feel sometimes like a dung beetle ?
Sisyphean tasks can manifest in various aspects of daily life, from work and household tasks to personal pursuits and social media.
So next time you have a bad day you can just say "I had a dung-ball-day - it will roll over" (but do not think too much about Sisyphus then…).

The attentive viewer may have noticed that the dung beetle in our composition is not rolling a regular dung ball. It is rolling a football ! Diligence in sports, such as football, can be incredibly useful and beneficial for individuals beyond just the physical benefits of exercise.
In addition, sports provide an outlet for stress relief and relaxation, which can help to improve an individual's overall well-being and mental health.

In our modern-day life where time is money and everybody is "busy, busy, busy…".
Is it not necessary for our mental health and wellbeing to have a good work balance ? Change the dung ball for the football or tennis ball or golf ball once and a while ? Or is rolling the football also just a kind of Sisyphus work with no end or purpose ?


With the words of Pieter Breughel de Oude :
Old Dutch «Dit is den rechten arbeit die den mensche vercleet» Latin : «Hic labor est verus qui hominem vestit”.
English translation : This is the true labor that clothes the man”.
The inscriptions emphasize the value of diligent work, suggesting that through honest and dedicated labor, people can provide for themselves and others.
For more information : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BZbodklWa7Q_k1cwv1Efjs9c-aRD_88r/view?usp=drive_link