Kuàimǎ yě yào xiǎngbiān cuī; xiǎng gǔ yě yào zhòng chuí léi.

快馬也要響鞭催, 響鼓也要重槌擂。

Lit Even a fast horse needs the crack of the whip to urge [it on]; even a loud drum needs a heavy stick to beat [it].

Fig Greater demands are laid on people of intelligence so that they will produce more or do better. Certain people perform better under pressure.

Topics ABILITY DEMANDS INTELLIGENCE PERFORMANCE PRESSURE