The author talks about being "overtaken" by others if you are unwilling to withstand tedious boredom and pain in your work.
I think this is because he believes life is a race to the finish line. To make a career, to go up the ladder, all that stuff.
And then he dies, wondering why he spent his life doing so much things he didnt enjoy. He wasnt even forced by someone else to do them. He forced himself.
It all boils down to your perspective on life, and what the meaning of it is. :)
When the passion fades, I change my job and do something else. Then the passion is back. I guess its because my passion comes from learning new things in technology.
But if the author wants to sit on his ass and think there is no point in doing anything but grind, grind, grind, its his choice. The beauty of life is that we all have free choice to do what we want, and we should take full advantage of it since its the only thing we really do control. :)