Hustling used to be the purview of pimps and thieves.

To be a hustler was to be a con artist, a prostitute, a grifter, a swindler, a whore. Hustler was a monthly full-color pornographic magazine with enough hardcore depictions of sexual penetration and oral sex to make Playboy blush.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to hustle is to crowd, to push roughly, to convey forcibly or hurriedly, to urge forward precipitately, to sell something to or obtain something from someone by energetic and especially underhanded activity.

Hustling at pool is to lure less skillful players into competing against you so you can beat them and take their money.

Now hustling has become a virtue. The word and its associated nouns, verbs and adjectives have swung from negative to positive. Especially among startups and young people trying to get ahead.

Furious restlessness and constant spinning have somehow become attributes to aspire to. Hustle culture, side hustle, play hustle, legendary hustle.

Maybe it’s time to stop hustling, to put the hustle to rest.

Time to be calm and steady and true.