He wished to earn a living through writing but despaired of doing so.

他原想通过写作谋生，但却对此绝望了。

《柯林斯英汉双解大词典》

First you should consider how to equip yourself to earn a living.

首先你应该考虑如何让自己有能力谋生。

youdao

When farmers give up trying to earn a living from farming or herding, trees simply move in.

当农民放弃靠种田或放牧来维持生计，树木就生长起来了。

youdao

In doing so, he ended a good way to earn a living.

VOA: special.2010.07.25

and I get to earn a living out of it.

而且我通过这些养活自己。

兴趣成为了职业 - SpeakingMax英语口语达人

"When I was determined to earn a living for my darling wife and two children, the music business was awful slow during the folk revival.

VOA: standard.2010.06.07

Because they did not have the qualifications to earn a living to take care of themselves.

FORBES: Readers Say

There are other ways to earn a living, we learn that in our countries.

BBC: Voices from Spain's unemployed millions

Every day, like the rest of us, they go out and try to earn a living.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Speaks on Comprehensive Immigration Reform | The White House