"L'un des plus intéressants et des plus nuisibles délires auxquels les hommes et les nations peuvent être soumis est d'imaginer qu'il existe une sorte de règle de base appliquée à l'univers selon laquelle le triomphe final si vous êtes assez fort et le succ"

Believing that life has a set of rules guaranteeing your triumph if you're strong enough, or that being virtuous will ensure your success, is one of the biggest misconceptions out there. This idea isn't just misleading; it can be downright harmful.

History is full of instances where people were led astray by this belief. Think about it. During the early 20th century, many people and nations clung to the notion that sheer strength or moral superiority would bring them victory. The First World War is a prime example. Many believed that their cause was just and that their military prowess would lead to an inevitable success. Yet, the brutal reality was far different. Millions of lives were lost, and the world was left in ruins, showing that neither strength nor virtue guaranteed triumph.

Let's put this idea into a real-life scenario. Imagine a young entrepreneur, Jane, who believes she’s got the perfect business idea. She's convinced that her hard work and ethical approach will ensure her startup’s success. She spends countless hours, invests her savings, and remains honest in all her dealings. But despite her best efforts, her business eventually fails because of unforeseen market conditions and external factors beyond her control. Jane’s experience shows us that success isn’t always guaranteed, no matter how good or strong you are.

So how do we navigate life knowing this? First, it's essential to remain adaptable. Life doesn't follow a fixed set of rules, so we need to be prepared for curveballs. Second, it's crucial to stay humble. Recognize that no matter how strong or virtuous you might be, there are factors outside your control. This doesn’t mean giving up or being cynical. Instead, it’s about being realistic and understanding that setbacks can and will happen.

Imagine a high school student, Alex, who’s always been told that if he studies hard and gets straight A's, he’ll get into the best college and land a fantastic job. Alex pours his heart into his studies, sacrifices his social life, and does everything by the book. But when college admissions results come in, he finds out he didn’t get into his top choice. Alex is devastated. What happened to the rule that hard work equals success?

Here’s the thing—Alex’s story is a reminder that life is unpredictable. Maybe there were other factors at play: the sheer number of applicants, the college's desire for a diverse student body, or maybe just plain luck. Instead of seeing this as the end, Alex could view it as a learning experience. He might not have control over everything, but he can control how he responds to setbacks.

In the end, it's about managing expectations and understanding that while strength and virtue are important, they don’t come with guarantees. Life is a mix of effort, chance, and timing. We should strive to be strong and virtuous, not because it guarantees success, but because it makes us resilient and prepared for whatever comes our way.

So next time you face a setback, remember Jane and Alex. Their stories show us that while strength and virtue are valuable, they’re not infallible. Stay flexible, keep learning, and most importantly, don’t lose heart. Life’s unpredictability is what makes it so challenging—and so interesting.