The Western Turmoil (9)

Who was it I'd heard say that knowing when to give up is the key to life?

Probably someone from my previous life... I can't remember who, though.

That someone said the saying sounded terribly pessimistic, but apparently it actually wasn't.

Apparently, the word for giving up also contains the meaning of seeing things clearly, so knowing when to give up means understanding and accepting things.

If I let go of my attachment for a while and look at things clearly, I can revise my goal and find a path to reach it.

In other words, "knowing when to give up" is actually advice for solving problems.

It goes without saying that I can't have everything I want without paying a price.

If you want something, you must offer something else in return; that's the way of the world.

If I wanted food, I had to pay for it, or trade my time and effort for it by growing or hunting it myself.

I could also take it from someone else, but even then, I would be giving up my conscience, society's protection, and my own safety in exchange...