大多数人过着绝望的生活而浑然不觉。他们逆来顺受的态度无疑是绝望的表现。离开绝望的城市，你来到绝望的乡下，剥夺水鼬麝鼠的皮衣，以此寻求一丝慰藉。人类所谓的游戏和娱乐之下也暗含着一种成型却隐蔽的绝望。工作之余方能享受，还有什么乐趣可言。不做绝望之事是种独到的智慧。
The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.