The-Conquest-of-Happiness-by-Bertrand-Russell

Chapter 16:Effort and resignation
The golden mean is an uninteresting doctrine, and I
can remember when I was young rejecting it with
scorn and indignation, since in those days it was
heroic extremes that I admired. Truth, however, is
not always interesting, and many things are
believed because they are interesting; although, in
fact, there is little other evidence in their favour.
The golden mean is a case in point: it may be an
uninteresting doctrine, but in a very great many
matters it is a true one.
One respect in which it is necessary to preserve
the golden mean is as regards the balance between
effort and resignation. Both doctrines have had
extreme advocates. The doctrine of resignation has
been preached by saints and mystics; the doctrine
of effort has been preached by efficiency experts
and muscular Christians. Each of these opposing
schools has had a part of the truth, but not the
whole. I want in this chapter to try and strike the
balance, and I shall begin with the case in favour