“But then again, the conditions are the same for everybody. We’re all riding the same disabled airplane. Sure there are them that get all the breaks and them that don’t. Them that are tough through it all and them that are weak. The rich and the poor. But you know, there’s nobody who’s got more than normal reserves of strength. It’s the same across the board. The haves are forever worrying that they’re going to lose it all, and the have-nots are worried that they’re going to stay have-nots forever. It’s the same for everybody. Anyone who catches on earlier should strive to become that much stronger. Even if they only pretend, right? There’s no strong people around anywhere. Only those who put on a good show of acting strong.”
From Hear the Wind Sing by Haruki Murakami.