فالرخاء كثيراً ما يُورث الإنسان الغرور والكبرياء، أمّا الشدائد فتُهذّبه وتُخضعه بالألم والحزن. في الرخاء يطيش الفكر فرحاً، وفيه ينسى المرء نفسه؛ وفي الضيق يُكره على مراجعة نفسه، ولو لم يرغب. وفي الرخاء كثيراً ما يهدم المرء الخير الذي فعله، وفي الشدائد كثيراً ما يُصلح ما اقترفه من شرّ منذ زمن بعيد.

“For in prosperity a man is often puffed up with pride, whereas tribulations chasten and humble him through suffering and sorrow. In the midst of prosperity the mind is elated, and in prosperity a man forgets himself; in hardship he is forced to reflect on himself, even though he be unwilling. In prosperity a man often destroys the good he has done; amidst difficulties he often repairs what he long since did in the way of wickedness.”Alfred the Great