To choose a hardship for ourselves is our only defence against that hardship. This is what is meant by accepting suffering. . . . Those who, by their very nature, can suffer completely, utterly, have an advantage.
Source: Entry for 10 Nov. 1938; The Burning Brand: Diaries 1935-1950, 1952; tr. 1961.
-- Cesare Pavese, (Sep 9 1908-1950), Italian poet, critic, novelist, translator; He introduced many modern U.S. and English writers to Italy.