exaction

All was, alas, worse than vanity - injustice, punishment, exaction, death.

唉，一切比虚空还糟糕——冤屈，惩罚，苛求，死亡。

Diligence and high self-esteem are meant to be virtues, but it will become exaction to demand every thing be perfect. it will neither help to cultivate one’s mind, nor will it make one happy.

勤劳、自我要求高原本是美德，但一旦要求到了枯槁极苦、十全十美的程度，就成了苛求，既不能得到修身养性的益处，心情也不会愉快。