例1：要注意经济稳定、协调地发展，但稳定和协调也是相对的，不是绝对的。发展才是硬道理。

Attention must be paid to stable and proportionate development, but stable and proportionate are relative terms, not absolute. Development is the absolute principle.

分析：此例第一句译文用了absolute一词，第二句与之呼应，将“硬道理”译作absolute principle。在别处也见过fundamental principle这种译法。

例2：要坚持两手抓，一手抓改革开放，一手抓打击各种犯罪活动。这两只手都要硬。

There are two tasks we have to keep working at: on the one hand, the reform and opening process, and on the other, the crackdown on crime. We must be steadfast with regard to both.

分析：译文用了steadfast一词，相当于firm，表示坚决，不动摇，用在这里是恰当的。

例3：一定要控制固定资产的投资规模，不要把基本建设的摊子铺大了。一定要首先抓好管理和质量，讲求经济效益和总的社会效益，这样的速度才过得硬。

We must control the scale of investment in fixed assets and see that capital construction is not overextended. To guarantee the planned growth rate, we must manage production well, ensure quality, and seek economic and social returns.

分析：这里“过得硬”理解为落到实处。若按原文的结构，难以找到与之对应的字眼，因此改变句式。