Failure

In failure we stiffen. Our brave face tenses as we prepare for the consequence of inadequacy. We lie to ourselves and say we'll make use of the lesson. But the lesson is merely "You weren't good enough." Failure is the death of hope for a reason.

Failure is the realization of weakness. Failure is the stronghold of religion, as inadequacy pushes so many to grovel for forgiveness. Failure is unforgiveable, but so common that we all forgive it.

We can watch you fail and recognize the humiliating defeat of ourselves by proxy. But reality makes you fail, because it convinces you to try.

It's a built in scam really, to keep you beneath your potential. The result is your ultimate potential isn't simply to fail, but the odds are pretty good that your best ideas will be discouraged by those who believe you will fail.

They are protecting themselves from feeling sorry for you later, when you invariably fail.

But it means nothing to me. I am used to the feeling of dissappointment, and perhaps that is the best way.

Low risk gambling when you don't have to wager much against the house. Every now and then the risk pays off, but usually it fails.

At least the tiger has no teeth when we know.