“We all have to accept failure; we do not all have
to lament it. It is interesting to contrast the Christian's proper attitude
toward defeat with the pagan's; the unbeliever's setbacks end in pessimism,
for, deluded by false optimism and its doctrine of inevitable progress, he had
never visualized the disappointment he has met….But the Christian has never
expected this earth to be his paradise; he has ever before him the words of the
Saviour: ‘In the world, ye shall have tribulation.’ For this reason,
Christianity alone can answer defeat, wherever it comes—for Christianity was
born in defeat: in the world-shattering defeat of Good Friday. One lesson of
the Cross is that although we cannot prevent some kinds of defeat, we can
always prevent a wrong reaction to defeat.” —Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
(1895-1979), Lift Up Your Heart: A Guide to Spiritual Peace (1950)
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