Thorns (real or analogous) could be the books from which a lesson and a commandment can be learned! Attach whatever analogous pain-giving aspect of something similar to that of thorns , and/or trees/bushes

Tick. Tock.. Tick..., 1!, 2!!, 3!!! source People are working round the clock, from carpenters to shoemakers, fashion designers, hawkers, to office clerks, secretary, managers, business owners and so on