"国家はストイックに生まれ、快楽主義に死ぬ。"

Simplified Meaning:

When a nation is young and developing, its people are generally hardworking, self-disciplined, and focused on long-term goals. They make sacrifices and endure hardships to build a strong foundation. However, as the nation grows wealthier and more comfortable, the people begin to seek pleasure and luxury, prioritizing their own enjoyment over hard work and discipline. This shift can lead to the nation's decline because people become less willing to make the necessary sacrifices to maintain and improve the society. Imagine a family business that started out with the parents working day and night to make it successful. They saved money, made smart decisions, and lived simply. But as the business became more profitable, their children inherited it and chose to enjoy the wealth rather than reinvest it or work as hard as their parents did. Over time, the business might struggle because the new generation is more focused on spending money on luxuries than on maintaining and growing the business. To apply this to your life, it's important to balance enjoyment with hard work. Even when you achieve success, remembering the effort it took to get there can help you stay focused and continue to make wise decisions. Enjoy the fruits of your labor, but don't let the pursuit of pleasure distract you from maintaining and improving your circumstances.