From The Spectator, 10 October 1914:
As we go on in life we do, as a rule, learn our place more or less truly, and we find it is not the one we should have chosen. It may not be lower, but it is almost certainly different from what we expected. As we look over the lists of life’s examinations we may find that in some subjects we have done better than we expected. In such-and-such a bad situation we came out fairly well perhaps. We showed judgment, or initiative, or endurance, or even self-sacrifice. But, good heavens, what an effort it was! and how nearly we failed! What a little there was to choose between us and some one who has found his own place much lower down! There is a great deal of luck in the whole thing, and men sink into their own place too tired to enjoy the fact that it is not a very low one.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in